The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

UpstateNYBilly wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 4:46 am I'm finding that same issue. I have a fairly big Victorian from around 1877. The first two floors are just a little bit better then 4000 sq. ft combined. If I only collected phonographs I might not have as much a space issue as I do but I also have a couple of pianos, a few jukeboxes, vintage radios, 40,000 + records and a bunch of other hobbies that also take up room.

So... I'm getting estimates now on building out my third floor - which has never had anything done to it. It has a beautiful curved walnut staircase that leads up to another 2000 sq. ft of unused space - with a peaked center point of about 12 ft. The plan is to build it out this summer adding another bedroom and a nice-sized bath and then leave the rest of it open for a media area and phonograph display room. I've got machines in the basement and in the carriage house that are just kind of waiting for a place of their own so hopefully when this is done I can alleviate the crowding on the lower floors (and make room for a few more machines as well!) My goal is to never get to the point where I have no choice but to stack a phonograph on top of another.

Sadly, when I kick the bucket there's no one in my family that wants any of my stuff. I'm a single guy and the nieces and nephew vow they will just sell it all and happily take the money. That saddens me. I have offered to leave any one of them EVERYTHING if they'll take over the house and keep the menagerie intact but no takers. How I wish I had had some eccentric gay uncle, when I was a kid, who was willing to leave me his estate! LOL So I'm just gonna keep doing what makes me happy and I really love collecting phonographs. I've done it since I was a kid. And the reason I bought this big ol' place was because I wanted to house my collection(s). So as they say, "A goldfish grows as big as its bowl." I'm just gonna expand the bowl. And when I run out of room up there there's always the loft above the carriage house!

Fonotone wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 11:44 am Thank you for that facebook link. Your home is beautiful beyond words.
-- Grant

Django wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:51 pm

Thank you for the virtual tour. My wife and I enjoyed looking through the pictures that you posted on Facebook. You have a beautiful home and collection.

I agree with your philosophy of not stacking, although I have a Columbia Q, Columbia AT and early Edison Standard sitting on doilies on top of some floor model Victrolas, (I can move them easily).

Maybe with maturity a niece or nephew will grow to appreciate what you have preserved.

CarlosV wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 6:38 am

UpstateNYBilly wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 4:46 am I'm finding that same issue. I have a fairly big Victorian from around 1877.

Beautiful house!

Orchorsol wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 6:44 am

CarlosV wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 6:38 am Beautiful house!

Really gorgeous!

UpstateNYBilly wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 3:11 pm

Orchorsol wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 6:44 am

CarlosV wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 6:38 am Beautiful house!

Really gorgeous!

Thank you! It's my oasis from the madness of our current national environment!

dzavracky wrote: Mon Jan 16, 2023 7:27 am That house is absolutely incredible, thanks for showing us photos. A young man can dream.. but one day I want to build a house like that

Cheers,

David

emgcr wrote: Mon Jan 16, 2023 9:43 am What a paradise you have created---many many congratulations ! Everything to do with your superb residence and grounds speaks of the highest quality, top taste and love. Very well done and long may you continue to enjoy the fruits of your immense labours.