Millenials and Edison cylinder phonographs

[2Bdecided]

Roewer often finds himself counseling boomers as he helps them clear out. Roewer was born in 1973, which makes him part of Generation X. He says his own parents try to give him items for his 750-square-foot home.

This guy might try to console himself by thinking that all 40 year olds are like him, but they're not. Some have settled down, and have families, space, and even kids that are already interested in all the old stuff that grandma wants to pass on to them.

No to the settee and dining table, but yes to the old photos (and slides/transparencies - my kids are fascinated by slides!), old toys, and old record player

Cheers,
David.

[thatonejohn]

I can remember seeing Victrolas and other cabinet phonographs in the Volunteers of America store in Binghamton,NY in my early days of collecting(late 1970's-early '80's).Them days are gone forever. edisonplayer

I once met a collector who rescued a Berliner "Trademark" Gramophone from the curb in Detroit on trash day as recently as the 1970s. It was missing the horn, so he knocked on their door. Sure enough, the people found the horn in their basement. We know that everything has at least *some* value, even manure. What were those people thinking to pitch an antique like that?

Much to the disbelief of some longtime radio collectors, I picked up a Wards Airline 62-197 (totl set, 16 tubes, chrome chassis, chrome amplifier and 2 chrome 12" speakers) off of a snowbank in 2013. It was in front of a house that had a sold sign on it, so they were just getting rid of some leftovers. Luckily it went on the curb and not into a dumpster.

[Wolfe]

I once met a collector who rescued a Berliner "Trademark" Gramophone from the curb in Detroit on trash day as recently as the 1970s. It was missing the horn, so he knocked on their door. Sure enough, the people found the horn in their basement. We know that everything has at least *some* value, even manure. What were those people thinking to pitch an antique like that?

If Millenials aren't interested in old phonographs and stuff, that's fine with me. Pitch those Berliners and Operas and Paramounts and G & T's to the curb, I'll be happy to pick them up. I don't care what they were thinking. They can live in their sparse 10,000 square foot digital paradise and I'll live in mine. Horses for courses and all that.

[Victrolacollector]

Thanks for sharing.....As for most of us, we collect because we want too...we realize that the majority of people want iphones etc.

Today, people want less, they settle for less, because of the dynamics of the economy....etc. (another story).

I dated a couple of years ago and was told that my antique phonographs are clutter and hoarding....."Hoarding" is the new term, the word not heard of years ago prior to the digital age.

The digital files that go obsolete, batteries that are sealed and cannot be replaced, will never outlast our phonographs, real cameras etc.

If people want to talk value..... a iphone5 was $500.00 in 2012, now worth maybe $100.00 if that. Our simplest Columbia Q will still retain its value of $ 200-$400

[phonogfp]

Just an anecdotal update...

Our 33 year old daughter came up Sunday and stayed a few days. We have boxes of stuff from my 93 year old mother's recent downsizing to a 1-bedroom apartment. Furniture, china, small antiques, and enough knick-knacks to keep a dozen grandmas happy... We knew Jess wouldn't want any of it (she lives in a Brooklyn brownstone). However, to our surprise, her eyes lit up when an old steamer trunk full of quilts was opened. Jess admitted that she too was surprised at her reaction. She and her mom looked through them for an hour one evening and Jess took 3 of them home with her.

This may suggest that if/when Millenials are exposed to certain items from the past, they may discover something of spiritual and/or aesthetic appeal; currently absent from their digital lifestyles.

George P.

[De Soto Frank]

This may suggest that if/when Millenials are exposed to certain items from the past, they may discover something of spiritual and/or aesthetic appeal; currently absent from their digital lifestyles.

George P.

I hope so... glad to hear a positive spin to this thread...

[WDC]

George, being 34 and therefore also a so called millennial myself I truly envy your children to have a parent with such an extraordinary collection and yours. I wish there had been at least one single 78rpm remained from my family relatives.

This article lacks of any hard evidence such as studies or statistics, the author simply picked a few people to fit the underlining of her personal statement. I am also hoarding digitally, but merely as a reference to find and preserve physical real-life originals.

[Starkton]

My son, 16 and therefore just a millenial, loved to read thick books. The more pages the better. He is still reading, but only digitally. He is listening to music every day, but has never bought a shellac, vinyl, or even compact disc in his life.

[dennislpr]

I don't agree with this article, I'm 28 yeas old and I love my 5 phonographs (2 cylinder phonographs and 3 disc phonographs) and my couple of thousands record collection, always looking for more. Not only that my friends who are the same age, also think my stuff is really cool. But well if in the future people don't want this stuff I'll be happy to take it all. evil laugh "Mwa-ha-ha-haaaa"!