The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

HisMastersVoice wrote:I've seen them go as high as $200 on eBay...I think I got mine for $50 or so but I had to lose several times to finally get one at a reasonable price. Do a saved search and if you get lucky you might get alerted that a low-priced buy it now had been listed.

I will probably need to get lucky, I just can't afford to pay top dollar for a copy.

Are there several editions? I noticed in Eric's picture that Mr. Baumbach is listed as the author on the cover. I thought this was written by Mr. Hazelcorn, like Vol. 1.

Fran

HisMastersVoice wrote:I've seen them go as high as $200 on eBay...I think I got mine for $50 or so but I had to lose several times to finally get one at a reasonable price. Do a saved search and if you get lucky you might get alerted that a low-priced buy it now had been listed.

Yes, that's what I have done, I can wait if need be, and hopefully get lucky.

Fran

fran604g wrote:

HisMastersVoice wrote:I've seen them go as high as $200 on eBay...I think I got mine for $50 or so but I had to lose several times to finally get one at a reasonable price. Do a saved search and if you get lucky you might get alerted that a low-priced buy it now had been listed.

I will probably need to get lucky, I just can't afford to pay top dollar for a copy.

Are there several editions? I noticed in Eric's picture that Mr. Baumbach is listed as the author on the cover. I thought this was written by Mr. Hazelcorn, like Vol. 1.

Fran

No, Vol. 2 is by Baumbach and not quite as nicely laid out as Vol. 1 and also a smaller format. Still a valuable resource, though. As far as I know the only hard copy edition is the first, from 1996. They were $195 plus shipping from the publisher, but they may not have any more.

Clay

Thank you, Clay.

There was a dealer at the last Orlando show that had some new (NOS) unused copies for $100. He evidently had an opportunity to buy some new at one point and purchased 10 or so of them. He had three left at the show. I saw another dealer there with a copy in nice near new shape for $100 also. I too am looking for a copy, but will wait for one to come up at a "better" price

XCaptBill wrote:There was a dealer at the last Orlando show that had some new (NOS) unused copies for $100. He evidently had an opportunity to buy some new at one point and purchased 10 or so of them. He had three left at the show. I saw another dealer there with a copy in nice near new shape for $100 also. I too am looking for a copy, but will wait for one to come up at a "better" price

I am open to offers XCaptBill. Thanks Eric

Having been through my copy of Columbia Phonograph Companion, Vol. II now, and trying to use it to identify my three Columbia Grafonolas, I will say this:

I am grateful that someone decided to put together a book on the Columbia disc phonograph, however, CPC, Vol. II is not quite as detailed and definitive as "Look for the Dog".


This is not meant to diminish Robert Baumbach's effort: Columbia corporate practice and history seems to have been more mercurial and vague than Victor Talking Machine Company.

There are also probably more minor detail variations in a given "model" of Grafonola than there was / is for Victor machines...

I am content with my copy of CPC, Vol. II for $40.

I think I would have been somewhat disappointed had I spent $100 or more.


Perhaps it would be wise for the folks on a budget to down-load the digital copy, and see what they think before spending vast sums on the print edition...

Something to consider...

Eric, I sent you a message,

Bill

I appreciate all of the comments from everyone, I guess it looks like I'm going to have to wait for lady luck to find me and continue to observe disc Graphophones on my own to learn.

Fran

And you've always got the crowd here at TMF that loves a good "What's-it?"...