The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Forty years ago, I was introduced to Charley by my mentor Charles Tyler. I bought a more or less basket case, but complete, suitcase Home from him (real early brass mandrel, National Phonograph crank, correct reproducer, etc.) at the Union Show - still have it and one of my favorites. I miss and will miss both of them.

I first met Charley more than 25 years ago when he and Bobbie allowed a film crew and me to set up shop in their house for three days. We were producing a CD-ROM for Sony Interactive on the inventions of Thomas Edison, and a mutual friend had coaxed Charley into letting us deconstruct his collection for the sake of entertainment and the arts (and a project that ultimately was never even released when the Sony subsidiary folded). While we filmed, photographed, poked and prodded, Charley hauled out, one by one, dozens of mechanical and electrical marvels, many of which had not been moved since he first brought them into the house. He took things apart and put them back together for us; he explained to us the progression of developments that led from Edison's first experiments with the tinfoil phonograph to the production, decades later, of the Edison Opera; he allowed us to noodle with practically everything, regardless of how valuable, and provided us with a rough narrative of what we were looking at, why it was important, and where it fit in the scheme of history and of Edisonalia. When we were done with our work, Charley accompanied us on a day-long "cook's tour" of the Edison National Historic Site, which at the time was starving for funding and eager to spread the word on what was inside. Throughout all of this, Charley was kind and wonderful, instructive but not pedantic, and of course crazy generous with his time. Rest in peace, Charley. You were a fantastic introduction to a world I've never left.

-- Grant

I met Charley at many Wayne shows and also visited his house when I bought a Zonophone Concert Grand from him. He showed me his incredible collection which included many truly one-of-a-kind machines and artifacts. His knowledge and openness to sharing it freely was amazing. Rest in peace Charley! You will be missed!

Andreas

Sad, sad news. Although I didn't really know him, I found him to be informative, kind and patient with my many questions about cylinder phonographs. Rest in peace, Mr. Hummel.

Martin

I met him many times at the Wayne show and bought from him occasionally. I went to his Saturday gathering only once, but after that, he always called me by name and treated me like an old friend. What a truly amazing collection he had. RIP.

I knew Charley for many years, and found him to be a true gentleman of the hobby. He taught me a lot every time we met, and he had an immense knowledge of phonographs that was almost impossible to fathom. He was always a gracious and welcoming host during his frequent open house events before the Wayne NJ shows. I purchased many things from him over the years and found him to be fair and honest to the core. No words can express how much expertise we have lost with his passing. He will be sorely missed.

Trips to NJ will never be the same.

Paul Edie

An irreplaceable icon for phonograph collectors, and a Great Guy to the rest of the world.

Raphael

As you all know, Charley was an icon in the phonograph world. I will greatly miss his company. He and I go back many, many years. He was very generous with allowing access to all that was in his collection. I restore a lot of rare phonographs and when something rare is missing parts, it is extremely difficult to make the parts from pictures. Charley and I had a deal that benefited both of us. If he had the same machine that I was restoring, I would borrow it so I would have a model to make the parts that I needed. In return, I would restore his machine for free. This arrangement worked very well. Very few people would be willing to let a rare machine walk out of there house, but that was Charley. He was directly responsible for helping to bring a lot of machines back to life. I feel blessed that he allowed me to work on his rare machines. He helped to give many rare machines a new life. His generosity to other collectors was rare.

In the past few years, many long time collectors and restorers have also passed. I can picture a "Union" in the great beyond and know that a number of us will visit them.

So sad to see you go Charley.

Ken Danckaert