The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Raphael wrote:A number of years ago, the renowned collector Aaron Cramer (RIP) were doing some business together, and he gave me a detailed tour of his fabulous collection. I was in awe of not only his collection, but his knowledge and passion for all things Edison. The comment that he made to me at the completion of the tour was "Raphael, everything you have seen here I paid through the nose for". In other words, when he wanted something, he stepped up to the plate and bought it, without thought to investment potential, estate planning, etc.

And as I look around my house, there are several items (mostly clocks) that I acquired 25+ years ago and paid crazy money for. But the pain of writing the check soon faded away and I've enjoyed these pieces immensely for years. And guess what? They are worth a lot, lot more now than what I paid. Not that it matters, they have already been designated as heirlooms that my son will one day inherit.

Phonograph collecting, like any other hobby, should bring pleasure and should not cause stress due to over-concerns about investment potential.

Raphael

Excellent view point all collectors of antiques should take. I started my collection with phonographs I never intend to sell so I really don't give a hoot what the investment potential will turn out to be. Collecting is more about passion than reason, but when a buying opportunity comes along, reason can go out the window. That's why you need to establish your maximum bid before the auction and a friend to stand next to you and be your voice of reason. I want quality over quantity so if I buy another machine, it to be very special. I have not decided which one will be next, but thanks to this forum I'm learning more every day.

ChuckA wrote:
Orpington,

If all you want to spent is $1500 for a Concert, then just wait, at some point you may find one. If you want to have one now to enjoy, then you pull the trigger when one shows up that you like. No one is going to be able to make that decision for you. Life's too short.....


Chuck

Well, I think I bid $1,700 on that one yesterday, so I have already proved I am willing to spend over $1,500 for one, even though I had set a maximum price of $1,400 in my head to bid yesterday.

Yes, life's too short...I sort of regret not bidding a bit higher yesterday, but then the sensible side of my personality knows I did the right thing. When the bid hit $1,800, the next bid was $1,900, and then $1,850, and then he asked for $1,825 anywhere. I came VERY close to putting my number in the air, but did not, because, I knew at that point, with sales tax, it was getting very near to $2,000.

Okay, maybe I should try and be a little looser with the purse strings, but, so far, I have not been able to do so. I remember how scarce things were as a child, my parents not earning enough to own a house, spending time at my grandparents, which, at the time was fun, but I later learned it was because the money had ran before the end of the month, and it was a way to actually receive decent nutrition after the money had ran out. Now, I invest and invest, and, obviously, the stock market did poorly several months ago, and did really well last month. I opened my brokerage statement yesterday, and the return I received last month alone made the cost of this machine seem a pittance. Maybe had I opened the statement before the auction yesterday, psychologically, I would have felt better about spending a little more.

Enough psychology stuff, I suppose. Yes, I really want to be in the driver's seat and just buy anything I want, and the price be damned, but...

Yesterday, I think I made an extremely competitive bid, so I am not miserly by any means, but there comes a point where you just don't want to feel burnt, like you paid too much. Oddly, when I do have something and ENJOY it, as I surely would have enjoyed this Concert A, the price really doesn't matter, but it is getting to that point that is sometimes difficult.

orpington wrote:
Well, I think I bid $1,700 on that one yesterday, so I have already proved I am willing to spend over $1,500 for one, even though I had set a maximum price of $1,400 in my head to bid yesterday.
Yes, life's too short...I sort of regret not bidding a bit higher yesterday, but then the sensible side of my personality knows I did the right thing. When the bid hit $1,800, the next bid was $1,900, and then $1,850, and then he asked for $1,825 anywhere. I came VERY close to putting my number in the air, but did not, because, I knew at that point, with sales tax, it was getting very near to $2,000.

I don't want to ruin your day, but if you had bid $1825 you would have gone home with it. That was the dealers max bid.

At an auction I have learned never give up on a round dollar amount, I can't remember how many items I have won just by stepping over that magic "00" number.



Chuck

Really? I felt like if I bid $1825 the next bid would just be $1850 and all that would have been accomplished is I raised the price for someone else.

Wow, I was that close!

I am pleased to know this and you didn't rain on my parade at all!