The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Nat wrote:Send them a bill next time, since they may have burned up the mantle, too. The price of these things has gone up something fierce in the last ten years or so when I wasn't looking. Luckily, I had bought a dozen of them for about $6 each at an area hardware store that caters to Mennonite and Amish trade. Today I think I've seen mantles listed at twice that price!

I can never get the wick properly trimmed on an Aladdin! I much prefer a Rayo anyway!


This hardware store is so Dutchie that I even found a copy there of the Bible in German (Martin Luther's landmark translation). I have treasured it now for years; the German is beautiful. And it's in the Roman alphabet, not Fraktur, so it's much easier for me to read.

Would that be Lehman's? I'd love to get a Luther Bible - even Fraktur, which I used to be able to read.

The hardware store is Weaver's, a local (IOW, not a national) establishment: http://www.weavershardware.com/ The present building is new, replacing one that burned; the old one was much more picturesque, starting out as an old schoolhouse and expanded many times. They don't sell Bibles anymore. The one I bought there says National Publishing Company, no further bibliographic information of any kind, not even a date and place of publication. I'm sure if you google up Die Bibel or Die Heilige Schrift you'll come up with a source or two!

I've seen the Lehman's catalogue, but never been there; it's somewhere in Ohio, IIRC.

I have always just used the plastic wick trimmer that came with my Aladdins; I think there's a brass one available also. There was a discussion of this topic on the board sometime in the recent past, as I recall.

emgcr wrote:During these short winter days it is good to think back to long lazy summer evenings in the countryside watching Mother Nature in all her splendour whilst listening to fine music with a top wine in hand---awaiting the sunset with some of the usual suspects. Carpe diem.

Old Winchester Hill, Hampshire. 2nd September 2011. HMV 101. 1923 Vauxhall 30/98.

Such lovely scenes would be welcome right now in the frigid parts of North America! Thanks again for posting!

No gramophone in this picture, but the story behind it might amuse.

The location is Sherwood Forest and the year is 1953. This of course was Coronation Year, hence the Union Flag proudly flying on the family Austin. Seated from left to right are my father, my brother and myself. Mother is behind the camera.

The picnic completed and packed away, or so we thought, we headed for home. On arrival, the Primus Stove on which the kettle had been boiled for tea was found still lodged on the front bumper! The smooth road surfaces of 1953 and the Austin's leisurely cruising speed had saved it.

Great photo Roger---only an Austin could do this !

Well picnics are always better with an Edison imho.

epigramophone wrote:
The picnic completed and packed away, or so we thought, we headed for home. On arrival, the Primus Stove on which the kettle had been boiled for tea was found still lodged on the front bumper! The smooth road surfaces of 1953 and the Austin's leisurely cruising speed had saved it.

I can relate to that. Years ago I drove from my home in Allentown to Philadelphia, about 60 miles, only to discover that the flashlight I had absent-mindedly left on the fender of my '70 Dodge Dart was still perched there when I reached the parking garage.

The hardware store is Weaver's, a local (IOW, not a national) establishment: http://www.weavershardware.com/ The present building is new, replacing one that burned; the old one was much more picturesque, starting out as an old schoolhouse and expanded many times. They don't sell Bibles anymore. The one I bought there says National Publishing Company, no further bibliographic information of any kind, not even a date and place of publication. I'm sure if you google up Die Bibel or Die Heilige Schrift you'll come up with a source or two!

Found on on eBay - Fraktur,too! Can't wait to see it.

I've seen the Lehman's catalogue, but never been there; it's somewhere in Ohio, IIRC.

Lehman's is great: seems like half the tools. lamps, etc. at my ranch from from them. Good service, good people.