The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

That's a really good point - which is more attractive :

one of these in "British Indiah Brown"

or a "Vernis Martin" Victrola

I'd have to go for the latter - it'll work out slightly cheaper than yer genuine Fragonard (already)!

I think the exterior - far from being re - finished is just sunbleached, and don't forget that teak is full of natural oils which under certain conditions can "Throw off" the finish - and sometimes the trademark as well

just over $5350 and counting down the last minutes....will this break $10k? I'm curious....

Sean

Yeah, I had bid it up for a while, but this one was just slightly too rich for my blood. GBP 5069!

And the final hammer price: $7,865.62 (USD).

Comments? I was expecting this to go much higher....

Sean

Well... as Starkton already mentioned:

GMEMG wrote:
it must be worth $15,000 i would imagine

But only if at least two Asians could warm to the idea of purchasing it. Otherwise half that price is more realistic.

He's right !
I think it's a realistic price... Would you pay more for a phonograph you've never seen in person ?
And... don't forget the shipping costs and the costs for restoring...

I'm also suspicious about the "quality" (as David Spanovich also mentioned).
In my opinion the case has been "cleaned" before and I think the metal parts are partly painted in black... I can't imagine that the parts in the case are rusted and the parts outside are well preserved...

Also: probably the hinge from the lid is polished... It's shiny and looks like brass...

BTW: I also don't see the remark "Close lid whilst playing" in the lid...

Interesting that the turn table felt shows evidence that a 7 inch record was left on it for an extended period. Usually the dark area is from a 10 inch record.

Anyone know the seller? the buyer?

Retrograde wrote:Anyone know the seller? the buyer?

Who knows, maybe a member of the infamous "ring" got it.

Ok, the final bid has rolled in and it made just a shade over £5,000. The winner used sniper software so only he knows how much higher he would have gone to. Maybe a bid of £6,000 WAS submitted that way?

Anyway, I think the machine sold for about the right amount. We're in the worst financial state we've been in since WW2 and it's a bad time to sell anything at the moment. Also, this 202 was not a good one for the following reasons:

1. Grille cloth has been replaced
2. Cabinet has been rubbed down / faded considerably giving it that patchy uneven appearance
3. Plating is quite worn and rusty in places
4. It is a TEAK machine from India - many collectors just don't 'understand' the concept of genuine Indian machines and / or believe the dishonest claptrap peddled by certain 'experts' about the origins and quality of Colonial models.
5. The soundbox bezzel was split and the back-plate was badly distorted. This would be a costly repair / replacement (if you could find one?)

Anyone else got any views on this?

Steve wrote: 5. The soundbox bezzel was split and the back-plate was badly distorted. This would be a costly repair / replacement (if you could find one?)

Anyone else got any views on this?

I noticed the damaged soundbox. But I guess a new 5A wouldn't be that expensive. Maybe GBP 50? Peanuts for someone who can afford to plunk down GBP 5000!

Bart, silver oxide 5a's are extemely hard to find, and if you could find one, they'd probably cost you 3 or 4 times what regular 5a's sell for.