The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

bbphonoguy wrote:

fmblizz wrote: In fact, what guarantee really do any of us have that any our machines are snow white pure.... NONE

Actually, I know that most of my machines are 100% original. I'm only the 2nd owner for some of them, because I began collecting when enclosed horn phonographs were sometimes being given away. For one of my machines I'm only the 3rd owner and I know its history, and know that it is also all original. I'm sure there are quite a few of us with similar stories.

I'm becoming confused about what constitutes "original." My understanding has always been if a machine has no reproduction parts on it and is complete, it's "100% original." If someone finds an Edison Standard in an attic and it's complete with a cygnet horn and bracket, but missing the crane rods, it's "original" but incomplete. If the finder goes to Union and purchases an original upper and an original lower crane rod, takes them home and fits them to his Standard, isn't that machine still "100% original?" Or has the addition of two original parts somehow reduced its originality?

George P.

Be careful defining things for greater clarity around here, George! lol! This is where the modifiers in situ ("in place" meaning 'as found') and in toto (meaning "as whole" meaning 'complete') are useful.

I'm also confused. I originally had plenty of hair on top. Now I have... well... much less. Am I less than original? If I shop for a rug (not for the floor) should I look for an old one or is a new one OK? Jerry B.

Jerry B. wrote:I'm also confused. I originally had plenty of hair on top. Now I have... well... much less. Am I less than original? If I shop for a rug (not for the floor) should I look for an old one or is a new one OK? Jerry B.

Well, if you wanted to be absolutely authentic, you should have saved all your combings and then have them made into a rug...... you'd have a "re-amalgamated original finish"!

Bill

As for my smashed Triumph, at the moment I have no extra time to deal with repairs, let alone being able to afford a restoration. I think I will make it a project at some point, but who knows.... This is why its tempting to get my money out of it, and move on. But... then there is the other half of me saying no!

From the photograph, that case looks completely salvageable. I think you should go for it. It it winds up ruined, well, you can't break what's already broken.

I agree, that doesn't look too bad. My Home arrived in a similar condition, except that the cover was smashed as well. As long as all the pieces and splinters are there it should be possible to repair without being obvious. Would be worse if the bedplate or mechanics were broken.
Good Luck!
Andreas

I agree, it's salvageable. It may never be the machine it once was, but you'd have the satisfaction of truly saving a Triumph. If you have doubts, I'd suggest setting it aside for a while. Jerry

That case is completely, 100% salvageable. I've restored a Triumph from far, far worse condition. You just need to be patient about it. Granted, the frame might not be entirely original, but you still have an awful, awful lot to work with.

I feel the same about needless phono parting-out as I do about chopping-up old magazines to sell the ads: horrified. But at least there's a good reason to buy phono parts, unlike buying a sliced-out magazine page for $10++ when the seller probably paid $1 for the whole thing.