The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

We stopped to see friends in Wisconsin and headed west on I-90. We drove through a thunder storm and the rain was incredible. Traffic slowed to a safe crawl with flashers on but there were moments when you could only see the moment the wiper went by. People all over the country believe it really rains in Oregon but in fifty years of driving I've experienced nothing like today. Stan enjoyed the rain because there's no windshield to clean. Tonight we're in Rochester, Minnesota.

Jerry Blais

Here is just a small sample of the phonograph toys in their home. Astounding and lots of fun to watch operate.

Dan

One of the true highlights of the doll collection is the very early Berliner doll and the record it plays!

Dan

Finally a few shots around their home showing some really nice things.

Dan

Besides offering help with information on machines and related items, Jerry's pictures and adventures on the road are another part of a great character. Offering help with transporting machines or parts is another side that he offers----Hope. That something you might need has a possibility of being realized from a personality that says---Can Do, when possible. Anyone that has Jerry as a friend must figure that they can accept without asking anything Jerry will deliver. Good and safe trip home and like Red Skelton would say----Good Night and God Bless.

melvind wrote:Here is just a small sample of the phonograph toys in their home. Astounding and lots of fun to watch operate.

Dan

A Josephine Baker phonograph doll/toy! Wow! That's practically made of unobtainium in the States, yes?

Many thanks to Rob and Joan Rolfs for hosting the Oregon 3 in Wisconsin. They provided a wonderful tour of their home, nice lunch and a short visit with their two guard goats, Melba and Victor. Dan posted some pictures; here are a few more. Stan

Wonderful advertising and dealer items!. The Rolfs are really nice people.
What is the story of the silver cup?. bill

A nicer pair of people you'll never find than Joan and Robin. They're the best! Thanks for sharing the experience with us!

Best,
Fran

wjw wrote:What is the story of the silver cup?. bill

In his later years, Mr. Berliner was a strong advocate of children’s health. It was given as an incentive to schools and schoolchildren to take part in the crusade for public health. In 1920, Emile Berliner endowed a Silver Trophy Cup, to be awarded annually by the National Tuberculosis Association to the city with the largest proportionate enrollment of pupils engaged in the health crusade. Berliner was the director of the National Association. In 1921, the cup was won by the public schools of Washington, D.C. and presented by President Warren Harding. A similar trophy was awarded in the Dominion of Canada.

The trophy is pictured and described on page 30 of our book, Nipper Collectibles, Vol. II.

It was our pleasure to have Jerry, Dan and Stan visit. They are wonderful collectors who always share their knowledge and expertise just as they are sharing this trip.

Safe travels and find many treasures.

Robin & Joan