Expert ‘Mahogany Gramophone’

[Steve]

I attended a Bonhams auction twenty years ago where two complete EMGs were for sale. I had just finished examining them and had turned my back for perhaps twenty seconds only to return to see that both soundboxes had been stolen. I raised a great noise and shouted that the police should be called immediately. Within half an hour both boxes were found behind a chair on the other side of the room presumably after the thief had caught fright at the commotion he had caused. A sobering lesson and I am so very sad for the vendor of this fabulous gramophone which clearly has been treasured all its life. Shame on the auctioneers. I shall phone their director tomorrow.

Are you going to inform them what it is exactly, Graham, if not the expected guide prices based on recent examples?

[emgcr]

Yes, I shall not pull my punches...............

[BassetHoundTrio]

That is outrageous! I hope the thief is caught. But what a gorgeous cabinet and horn on that gramophone.

Unfortunately the soundbox has now been reported stolen. Poor security by the auctioneers who were hitherto unaware of its value. What a crying shame. I hope they catch the thief on CCTV.

[BassetHoundTrio]

Well done, Graham!

I attended a Bonhams auction twenty years ago where two complete EMGs were for sale. I had just finished examining them and had turned my back for perhaps twenty seconds only to return to see that both soundboxes had been stolen. I raised a great noise and shouted that the police should be called immediately. Within half an hour both boxes were found behind a chair on the other side of the room presumably after the thief had caught fright at the commotion he had caused. A sobering lesson and I am so very sad for the vendor of this fabulous gramophone which clearly has been treasured all its life. Shame on the auctioneers. I shall phone their director tomorrow.

[Garret]

The theft is unfortunate, but I'm sure this machine will still find a buyer all the same. Assuming the motor is original, it's a lovely example!

Calling the sale room won't change anything; these people are drowning in stuff and just trying to move it to get their commission.

Garret

[Steve]

The theft is unfortunate, but I'm sure this machine will still find a buyer all the same. Assuming the motor is original, it's a lovely example!

Calling the sale room won't change anything; these people are drowning in stuff and just trying to move it to get their commission.

Garret

Sadly, I agree in most instances this is exactly what would happen but never underestimate Graham. It's now been withdrawn!

PS. the motor was spring-driven Collaro (D30?) originally but it has been subsequently converted to electric whilst re-using the motor-plate, I'd guess. The winding hole has been covered up with a brass pull knob matching the motor switch design clearly visible in the photos. The horn, inside and out, is in stunning, top class condition.

[poodling around]

The theft is unfortunate, but I'm sure this machine will still find a buyer all the same. Assuming the motor is original, it's a lovely example!

Calling the sale room won't change anything; these people are drowning in stuff and just trying to move it to get their commission.

Garret

Sadly, I agree in most instances this is exactly what would happen but never underestimate Graham. It's now been withdrawn!

PS. the motor was spring-driven Collaro (D30?) originally but it has been subsequently converted to electric whilst re-using the motor-plate, I'd guess. The winding hole has been covered up with a brass pull knob matching the motor switch design clearly visible in the photos. The horn, inside and out, is in stunning, top class condition.

What with theft, mystery, 'who dunnit' theories and comedy this whole thing is starting to resemble an episode of the television series 'Lovejoy' ...

[emgcr]

I phoned the auctioneers this morning and asked to speak to the managing director but was told he was away for the day and could not be contacted. I then asked to speak to the person running the company today and was put through to Dave. You would not believe the “could not care less” attitude and rudeness of this man. He merely stated that they have thousands of items going through their hands on a daily basis and could not be expected to know about them all. Fair enough to a certain extent but it should have been blindingly obvious to anyone with a modicum of common sense that this high quality item was something in which to take an intelligent interest and great care. I enquired as to the results of the search of the CCTV but he did not know. I asked if the police had been informed---again he did not know---or care ! I then, in the interests of the poor vendor, spoke of values but he could not have been less concerned. The whole attitude was appalling and he finished up putting the phone down on me. I also informed him that a large number of people were watching their every action. Any vendor thinking of dealing with this firm needs to think extremely carefully before getting involved.

As Steve has noted, the lot has now been withdrawn but I am uncertain if this is a good or bad thing for the seller ?! I shall now email the MD putting the historical values of the stolen soundbox and whole instrument in writing so that there is no doubt about the level of recompense due to the unfortunate vendor.

[poodling around]

I phoned the auctioneers this morning and asked to speak to the managing director but was told he was away for the day and could not be contacted. I then asked to speak to the person running the company today and was put through to Dave. You would not believe the “could not care less” attitude and rudeness of this man. He merely stated that they have thousands of items going through their hands on a daily basis and could not be expected to know about them all. Fair enough to a certain extent but it should have been blindingly obvious to anyone with a modicum of common sense that this high quality item was something in which to take an intelligent interest and great care. I enquired as to the results of the search of the CCTV but he did not know. I asked if the police had been informed---again he did not know---or care ! I then, in the interests of the poor vendor, spoke of values but he could not have been less concerned. The whole attitude was appalling and he finished up putting the phone down on me. I also informed him that a large number of people were watching their every action. Any vendor thinking of dealing with this firm needs to think extremely carefully before getting involved.

As Steve has noted, the lot has now been withdrawn but I am uncertain if this is a good or bad thing for the seller ?! I shall now email the MD putting the historical values of the stolen soundbox and whole instrument in writing so that there is no doubt about the level of recompense due to the unfortunate vendor.

Very interesting indeed.

Thank you very much for taking the time to out-line the situation as it presently 'stands'.

[jamiegramo]

I phoned the auctioneers this morning and asked to speak to the managing director but was told he was away for the day and could not be contacted. I then asked to speak to the person running the company today and was put through to Dave. You would not believe the “could not care less” attitude and rudeness of this man. He merely stated that they have thousands of items going through their hands on a daily basis and could not be expected to know about them all. Fair enough to a certain extent but it should have been blindingly obvious to anyone with a modicum of common sense that this high quality item was something in which to take an intelligent interest and great care. I enquired as to the results of the search of the CCTV but he did not know. I asked if the police had been informed---again he did not know---or care ! I then, in the interests of the poor vendor, spoke of values but he could not have been less concerned. The whole attitude was appalling and he finished up putting the phone down on me. I also informed him that a large number of people were watching their every action. Any vendor thinking of dealing with this firm needs to think extremely carefully before getting involved.

As Steve has noted, the lot has now been withdrawn but I am uncertain if this is a good or bad thing for the seller ?! I shall now email the MD putting the historical values of the stolen soundbox and whole instrument in writing so that there is no doubt about the level of recompense due to the unfortunate vendor.

Graham, you have done exactly the right thing phoning Cuttlestones Auctioneers (I’ve named them) and so much for their motto ‘We don’t just care about antiques and collectables. We care about you.’ If a gold bracelet had gone missing with a similar value to the soundbox would that be dismissed in the same way?

A good idea to email the MD.