The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does the facility at Grayslake have the potential to replace the one at Union? Is there a local group that could promote it to become a world class event? Sounds interesting if possible.

Jerry Blais

I have been to antique shows at the Grayslake venue several times. It's a relatively modern facility with ample parking, a food vendor, and it's centrally located. While I'm sad to see the Union show come to an end, Grayslake would make a fine location for a phonograph show, imho.

"I'm just a nickel in a room full of dimes." (anonymous)

Since Chicago has convention space, hotels and is centrally located I never understood why not here. But Union so disappointed me two years ago. Brought only a five hundred dollars and I might as well brought a nickel. Useless for me. I had other complaints but the restaurant was positively on top. Hours of waiting okay maybe one and a half hours for a sandwich and fries which were cold when they came. Only bright spot for me was meeting some people from the Antique Phonograph Society. Good riddance!!! As some say never again. Did I mention the long trip from Chicago! What I bought was junk! lol Neil

vansteem78 wrote:Since Chicago has convention space, hotels and is centrally located I never understood why not here. But Union so disappointed me two years ago. Brought only a five hundred dollars and I might as well brought a nickel. Useless for me. I had other complaints but the restaurant was positively on top. Hours of waiting okay maybe one and a half hours for a sandwich and fries which were cold when they came. Only bright spot for me was meeting some people from the Antique Phonograph Society. Good riddance!!! As some say never again. Did I mention the long trip from Chicago! What I bought was junk! lol Neil

I agree with you about the restaurant a couple years back Vansteem but having typically flown ~7000 miles across the big pond and then driving ~10 hours from Northern MN to get there, I don't have a lot of sympathy for your having driven that grueling hour from Chicago.

vansteem78 wrote:Since Chicago has convention space, hotels and is centrally located I never understood why not here. But Union so disappointed me two years ago. Brought only a five hundred dollars and I might as well brought a nickel. Useless for me. I had other complaints but the restaurant was positively on top. Hours of waiting okay maybe one and a half hours for a sandwich and fries which were cold when they came. Only bright spot for me was meeting some people from the Antique Phonograph Society. Good riddance!!! As some say never again. Did I mention the long trip from Chicago! What I bought was junk! lol Neil

Yes, 2 years ago the food was terrible. I had a raw meat hamburger, which I simply threw away. Last year, it was pretty good. The restaurant area was/is now leased out and not run by Wild West.

JerryVan wrote:Yes, 2 years ago the food was terrible. I had a raw meat hamburger, which I simply threw away. Last year, it was pretty good. The restaurant area was/is now leased out and not run by Wild West.

After trying the Wild West restaurant a few times, we gave up. Slow service, crummy food, not worth the price, etc. I don't know about the new operators. My buddy and I usually ate lunch off site at one of the fast food joints either near the tollway or in Marengo.

Brought only a five hundred dollars and I might as well brought a nickel. Useless for me.

I'm curious. What were you hoping to buy with your $500?

At the 2018 Union I purchased an Edison Spring Motor under glass, a Victrola XVII, a banner Edison Concert, Vogue records, three Nipper projects, and a Victor pocket mirror. I sold an Edison Standard C, Columbia BK, Edison Fireside, Edison Gem B, a Victor I, and 72 cylinders. I sold well and was delighted with my purchases. Yes, I noticed Union was shrinking but it was still offered the best quality of items for sale anywhere.

Jerry B.

Like Jerry, the 2018 show was very good for me too. I bought 2 machines both of which I was happy to find: a Victor MS with black and brass horn and an Edison Maroon Gem D in very nice original condition including the paint on the horn. I can't remember what I paid, but I recall that at the time, I felt the prices were very good from a buyer's perspective.

I didn't buy much at the 2019 show, but as I am running out of room and had recently made a big gramophone purchase, I am very selective now.

Nashville? (selfish reasons of course!)

ts_13 wrote:Nashville? (selfish reasons of course!)

Sounds good or Dallas also for selfish reasons