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Re: "The MicaMonster Report," from Winstead Auction
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:26 am
by larryh
Auctions are just that. Highest bidder wins. I have often steered clear of any sale where enough unusual things are offered to attract the serious buyers. I don't have the resources or inclination to out bid someone hell bent on owning something even if they have to pay way more than its worth. And nothing is worse that a sale where you get people who haven't a clue as to the value of something who will pay many times what its worth. But for some reason it suits their purposes. Locally I have been to sales where cheap catalog machines in very poor shape have produced bids that were way out of line and surly the buyers were roundly disappointed when they got home. I have even pointed out to some the glaring faults with a cheap machine that were basically shot an then watched as the potential buyers ran it up to several hundred dollars and its valve was probably close to zero. I have learned that if I want it and it sells reasonable I may buy it, but while machines may be rare, they are still only things and we don't take them with us even though we may wish we could.
Re: "The MicaMonster Report," from Winstead Auction
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:01 pm
by brianu
MicaMonster wrote:Oh, how I absolutely LUSTED after the Keen-O-Phones.
They are big though, but if I had the brass spheres to win them I would certainly knock a hole in the office wall and give them their own room.
Here is the condition report on the 3 Keen-O-Phones, and their selling prices:
Keen-O-Phone Model 25:
-Motorboard replaced with stained plywood piece. Original motor missing, but had small single spring motor from an inexpensive portable phonograph in its place, with an adapted crank. Remaining 3 plugged holes in side of cabinet (from someone trying to locate the correct hole for the replacement motor). Sold for $1600. A great price, considering the inlaid cabinet was in excellent original condition, and it has its complete original tone arm and reproducer. When the buyer finds a motor for this, this machine will be an absolute gem!
Keen-O-Phone Model 30 (later model):
-All original finish (some wood chips here and there), original and complete motor. Very nice wardrobe-style record storage. Original turntable felt intact in excellent shape. Spiral tone arm compleatly home-made from tin pipe and what looks like an elbow cuff from a floor model Victrola, sprayed in silver paint, with what looks like a generic soundbox with a Cheney diaphragm. Stationary spindle (non-tracking). Sold for $10,000.
Keenolophone Model 30 (earlier model):
-Low cabinet serial number of 152! Majority of cabinet has been refinished (very Very VERY old amateur refinishing job). Had two record drawers in cabinet compartment. VERY EARLY cast tone arm, painted gold with original hand painted floral decoration. Decal in excellent shape. Has its original motor, with tracking turntable (turntable moves laterally, driven by a feedscrew, under the soundbox). Ran nice, but chugged along a little. Had a Victrola crank escutcheon. Turntable felt new. Original crank missing. Had an "adapter" welded onto the motor to accept the included *gulp* Victrola VI crank. Grille was refinished, but for some reason didn't take stain well. Sold for $13,000.
No idea who won it.
thanks for the information on those. having only the photos to go by, I really had no idea as to all of those touch-ups, alterations and additions - especially on the one that sold so low. either way, I had no idea as well that keenophones sold for such high sums (I was guessing something in the 2000 to possibly 4000 range). do you recall by any chance what the duplex machine may have sold for?
Re: "The MicaMonster Report," from Winstead Auction
Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 2:49 pm
by TAP
I have the duplex as going for 3,400. As an admittedly non-advanced collector, I had difficulty sorting things out at this auction. The preview said there was a Victor new century reproducer, but I couldn't locate it. Did anyone happen to see it Saturday?