The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I knew the machine was missing the winding key. I knew it needed some help. But I told the seller I would come and probably buy it if he reduced the price on account of the missing crank.
I go and see the machine. It is dirty. VERY dirty. And whomever stored it in the coalmine must have left the lid open. But there are no major gouges or heavily damaged cabinet carvings. Apparently coal dust and nicotine have remarkable preserving qualities.
I open the famous L doors and all the shelves are famously empty: these machines rarely, if ever, retain their record boxes. But the accessory drawer is there, so that's something. Under the lid, all the gold-plated party pieces are present. So we agree on $350 and load the machine into the truck. As I'm about to leave, the seller says, "By the way, I've got some old records you can have. You might as well haul them off too. I got no use for 'em."
He shows me two cardboard boxes. I open them and find a complete set of L door record boxes. *Insert poker face here They are filled with the usual acoustic-era fare and even a Victor Records brochure from July 1911.
I say, "Sure. I can get rid of these for you. Saves you the bother, right?"
I disappear in a cloud of coal dust.
I love this hobby.

I love this! It felt like I was right there with you, buying the L-door. I need to work on the poker face! I think I get too excited when I see Victrolas for sale and I need to keep it internal so I can bargain better.

That sounds like a great find.

WOW, what a break!

Clay

Great story! It seems like all the good machines have a story. How about posting a photo in the machine in its coal dust glory and an "after" photo. It should be fun to see the original color appear after years of camouflage. For fun, why don't you clean half of one side and take a photo to show the dramatic difference? Thanks, Jerry

Nice one! I recently used the poker face on a smaller scale when I found a Vouge picture disc in $1 each box at an estate sale a few weeks ago. I was talking with the owner as I was going through the records and didn't flinch when I spotted the Vouge. I simply put it in the keeper stack and then covered it with the next record.

I did the same thing at a garage sale last summer - scored two Vogues. I can keep very quiet when I need to. I did get a little bit nervous though, because they went through my whole stack when I went to pay for them but they didn't comment, just took my money and I was out the door.

Jim

Isn't it odd how often we'll buy some records from a seller who clearly knows nothing about old records, yet insists on carefully inspecting each label with a seemingly practiced eye to be sure nothing of value is inadvertently sold too cheaply? It cracks me up. Sometimes human nature can be so entertaining!

George P.

My poker face is virtually non existant!, however I can sometimes keep it temporally, I can keep a straight face until I jog away smirking and giggling under my breath, happy that I've just bought something!, but many times my excitement gets the better of me so I end up paying more than I wanted to
Good story with the L door!, ive had a couple of experiences like that, 3 main ones!, the first one being a hmv radiogram from 1937, it was interesting but I wasn't to interested because they cost too much mostly, when I found out it was £15 I bought it!, later to create a £150 profit!
The second being at the same car boot sale that I got the radiogram from when I saw a box that looked suspiciously like a 78rpm record box, it was and it was full of mint condition records, I was about to buy it until the owner said "I've got some more if your interested" I looked in the back of his car and indeed a Lp record box and the box from a old bush radio full of more 78s, £18 later and I think I had a good deal
The last being when I found a columbia 112A at a different car boot sale, I was interested but not at the price he was asking £35, when I was about to walk away I took a second look at the sound box which turned out to be a VERY nice meltrope 3! So I emptied my wallet and bought it for £25!

None of those are as good as the L door story in my opinion, you got a very good deal !

Finally, some pics.

Those are the stories that make collecting so much fun!! Nice find!

Steve