The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

What a beautiful house - reminds me of my grandparents' house in Bryn Mawr.

My grandfather bought a VV-IX - not certain of the date - but it was the first machine in our family, and it sits next to me as I type. So I know the house well - though I have no pictures I can post.

Skihawx wrote:

Uncle Vanya wrote:
Thirty years ago I purchased a pair of Orthophonic Victrola Granada machines with sequential serial numbers (3128 & 3129, as I recall) which came out of a very large, elaborate mid-1920's Tudor home in Coldwater Michigan. The two machines were located in the same room, on either side of a wide doorway. The daughter of the original owner was breaking up her parent's home. When I asked her why the pair of cheaper machines rather than a single large phonograph. She said that her mother decorated the house, and insisted on a pair of identical "tables" on either side of the doorway, and so that's what her father purchased.

Two identical machines in the same room! Did it look like one was more used than the other? That is pretty interesting. Also great that you were able to speak with the daughter to understand.

No, neither appeard to have been used to any extent. Neither machine had the tell-tale ring on the turntable felt around the edge of a ten-inch record. Both machines were fitted with brass reproducers had seamed tone-arms, and had the open horns.

neither machine survives unfortunately.

Uncle Vanya wrote: neither machine survives unfortunately.

more victims of the fire?

regarding the johnston house machine... I'd guess a XVII or 130.

brianu wrote:

Uncle Vanya wrote: neither machine survives unfortunately.

more victims of the fire?

Wasn't there 2 seperate fires, a couple years apart?

I know of one handsome machine it its original location. The Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe Pa. has a VV XX.

That was a posh mansion indeed!

syncopeter wrote:That was a posh mansion indeed!

It is! Pretty much everything you see there is in its original state, or very close. After the last family member passed it was locked up for 40 years until it was opened to the public. It's worth a visit- and the area is spectacular- the "Switzerland of Pennsylvania"

I apologize for straying off-topic to the subject of phonographs, but there is a historic mansion here in Louisville -- the Brennan House -- that was in the same family from 1884 to 1969 (although the house dates to 1868). The house was given to a preservation group in toto when the last family member died. I have attached photos of my wife, Lauri, who is 5'8", standing in front of the most massive and elaborate Renaissance Revival bed and dresser I have ever seen that is located in the master bedroom of the Brennan House. There is a similarly massive hall tree in the entrance hall by the same manufacturer. If you are ever in Louisville, give them a call and they will happily take you through the home. There aren't any phonographs or music boxes in the home, however.

http://thebrennanhouse.org

brianu wrote:

Uncle Vanya wrote: neither machine survives unfortunately.

more victims of the fire?

I won't say that, as it might annoy someone.

I DO still have one of the brass reproducers form the machiines in question, however.