What are your "rules" for collecting?

[Phonofreak]

Here are my rules: I treat people with dignity and respect and expect the same courtesy in return. I buy within my budget and stick with it. If I can't afford a machine, I'll ask the seller if they do a lay away. Most of them do. The ones that do not, I don't buy from them. Eventually, another seller will have that machine and can work with me. I make sure that I own the hobby and the hobby doesn't own me. That's it in a nutshell.
Harvey Kravitz

[phonogfp]

"Rules? There are no damn rules here! We're trying to accomplish something!" - Thomas Edison

[Valecnik]

Jerry's rule #2... Avoid duplicates. Duplicates don't make a collection more interesting.
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I suppose I break this rule in a way. I have three Vic II's but each has an incredible horn. One has a great all brass Search Light horn. Another is on a matching cabinet with a little oak horn. Still another has the nicest #17 black Victor horn I've ever seen.

Here are my rules:

4. I also have a "no duplicate rule". If I come across something that is better than the one I have, I have to sell the other first.

The issue I struggle with is defining duplicates. The only true duplicates to me must have the exact same features. So in Jerry's case above, i would not consider these three machines as duplicates at all.

I guess that's why I have more than one of certain model numbers, but I would not consider them duplicates. One example; I have an early oak A250 and a very late mahogany A250. In addition to the obvious difference they have many different features. One has volume control, one not, one has a cardboard filing system in the drawers, one the individual wooden slots etcetea....

[phonogfp]

I agree with Bruce. I have 5 Type "A" Graphophones, but they're all different. I have 3 "Eagle" Graphophones, and they're all different too. I don't consider them "duplicates," but if they are, I guess I collect them!

George P.

[SonnyPhono]

I agree completely. I just don't believe in exact duplicates. For example, at one point I had an Edison Home model A with the red banner decal on the lid, a model A with the red banner decal on the cabinet, a model A with the yellow banner decal, two model B's, (one with a banner decal and one with the Edison script) and a model D. Collecting variations of different phonographs is part of the fun for me. I just meant that I don't believe in having two of the same phonographs with the same variations in my collection.

[Jerry B.]

Jerry's rule #4... Try to collect within my means. Did the word "try" slip past anyone? I don't over extend to buy something for my collection but I have borrowed money. My Dad and I had a great relationship. When I needed money I'd give my folks a call and ask to speak to my banker. When he heard me ask for my banker, he knew that I needed to borrow some money. He'd always loan me what I needed and I'd pay him back quickly. By taking care of the money, it was always available the next time. He loaned my $500 to buy my first maroon Gem many years ago. When it arrived I invited him over so he could see what he bought. At that time, $500 was a bunch of money for a phonograph so I had fun and asked which machine in my collection was "his". He picked the biggest one in the room which was a Diamond Disk worth maybe $100 at the time. He just smiled and shook his head when I pointed out the little Gem. Jerry Blais

[HisMastersVoice]

My rules are simple: I don't buy a machine just to say I have it, or because it's valuable. I buy it because I genuinely like it, and will enjoy using it. Same goes for the rest of my antiques.

[JohnM]

The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition:

http://www.sjtrek.com/trek/rules

[Shawn]

I'll weigh in on this. Space being a premium, I decided long ago that I needed to really focus my collecting so I came up with what is outlined below. I've followed this, pretty much to the letter for the past 20 years.

Mission Statement:

Maintain a collection based on early, American, primary name, high-quality examples of machines and records

Objectives:

Demonstrate a wide array of technical aspects
Primarily focus on 1901 manufacture and before

Restrictions:

No mahogany machines
No electric machines
Only US distributed machines


Shawn

[MTPhono]

Objectives:

Demonstrate a wide array of technical aspects
Primarily focus on 1901 manufacture and before

Restrictions:

No mahogany machines
No electric machines
Only US distributed machines

No interest in Edison Class M or Bell-Tainters? I am surprised!

I too have found the need to focus my collecting habit. Sorry to steal your format, Shawn (but it's so good).

Objectives:

Demonstrate a wide array of technical aspects (mainly "amplification" gimmicks and differing horn styles/materials)
Primarily focus on 1906 manufacture and before (with a few exceptions)
Obtain as many different record/cylinder/player formats as possible

Rules:

Stay within budget
Must fit in the house decor (no Vernis-Martin), prefer oak when possible
No duplicates
Only buy non-restored machines (with the exception for coin-ops as they all seem to be restored for obvious reasons)

Restrictions:

Disc machines (with the exception of Edison and really interesting stuff like Auxetophone and chocolate record players)
Anything I can find within a week on eBay

Scott