The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Whenever I see a thread like this I am reminded of an episode that really happened about 10 years ago and brought home the reality of the fantasyland that collectors of every type live in:

I was “babysitting” a ratchet-wind Berliner for a friend who had brought it from afar in the hopes of selling it to a well-known collector near me. No need mentioning actual names as they are irrelevant to the rest of the story. As it happened, my in-laws were coming over that afternoon for dinner. After they were here a while I brought the Berliner out to show them, and asked what they thought it might be worth. They ventured a guess of $200. The next day the local collector confirmed the sale at $15,000.

So, you see, what you might pay for something bears very little relation to “value”, whatever that is. All collectors create their own value by wanting something they have absolutely no need for, other than what their mind perceives. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but criticizing the seller for being “overpriced” is wrong, he’s not looking for you, he’s looking for the guy that “needs” it!

This was not meant to be argumentative or critical, just a different perspective on the issue at hand.

Happy New Year to all,

Raphael

Raphael wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:29 am
So, you see, what you might pay for something bears very little relation to “value”, whatever that is. All collectors create their own value by wanting something they have absolutely no need for, other than what their mind perceives. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but criticizing the seller for being “overpriced” is wrong, he’s not looking for you, he’s looking for the guy that “needs” it!

Happy New Year to all,

Raphael

That is stated about as well as I've ever read.

Happy New Year to you as well!

McKeown's Law of collecting ( from his camera book )

1) The price of an antique collectable is entirely dependant upon the moods of the buyer and seller at the time of the transaction .

2) If you pass up the chance to buy an item you really want , you will never have that chance again .

3) If you buy an item because you know that you will never have that chance again , a better example of the same item will be offered to you a week later for a much lower price!

soundgen wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 9:33 am 3) If you buy an item because you know that you will never have that chance again , a better example of the same item will be offered to you a week later for a much lower price!

Oh man, I am the poster child for that one!