The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello All,

I was fortunate enough to have a private tour of Mr. Jefcoat's personal collection in the 1990s. A good friend of mine and fellow phonograph collector knew Mr. Jefcoat and he arranged for us to meet Mr. Jefcoat at his home for a private and detailed tour of his collection. His collection was immense, highly varied and eclectic, and it filled multiple buildings on his property. His collecting interests were broad, sometimes eccentric, and he was fascinated by many mechanical artifacts. I do remember a large building filled completely with antique washing implements of all kinds! Every conceivable antique washing machine and scrub board variation imaginable. He loved all sorts of mechanical contrivances. His actual home was a treasure trove. Many many highly ornate, rare, and beautiful items were on display in every room, and he took the time to discuss most of the highlights in great detail. He relished showing his detailed knowledge of these items. He saved the best for last and took us to the lower floor of his home where he had an immense collection of phonographs. The phonographs filled an entire floor of his home! It was really overwhelming due to the sheer number of phonographs filling every inch of space. There seemed to be hundreds of machines arranged from floor to ceiling. At the time, it reminded me of Charles McCarn's place, just packed into a slightly more confined space. Fabulous!

I remember coming away from that visit wondering how anyone could amass such an immense and highly varied collection. It was a colossal undertaking for Mr. Jefcoat.

Cheers,
Scott

gregbogantz wrote:Well, it didn't appear that there were many phonos actually for sale in NC when I and another collector buddy of mine were rooting around for them 10 years ago. Evidently McCarn and Jeffcoat had taken them all out of circulation by that time. About all that was left were common Edisons, Victors, and Brand Xs, all in lousy condition. I wound up finding more good stuff in the upstate New York and Pennsylvania area than down here in NC. I think the actual story is that mostly rural and agrarian NC was impoverished for many years compared with the middle class workers in the industrial north. So you can find lots of Edison Standards in crappy shape in barns here and there, but you won't be finding any Edison C-2s or Victor Auxetophones here.

Greg, It's funny you should mention Victor Auxetophones found here in NC. I have a collector friend who actually found one in , of all places, an antique mall in Greensboro!!! He spotted it in the back of the mall with a tag that labeled it a Victrola cabinet! The price....$125.00!!! There wasn't a motor, arm, reproducer, back bracket or horn on the machine. However when he opened the doors there in the bottom was a box with every thing ecept the horn. He ran to the front, and paid. Not trusting his luck to leave it there he and his wife loaded it into the back seat of their car and drove home. I know this is a rare occourence but htese things do happen. Happy Hunting, Ed