The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just saw this on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181121848810#ht_925wt_916

Item 181121848810

Looks really cool. Thinking about making an offer. Is it as rare and cool as it looks?

CDB

It's a unique and rare machine. I don't know where the seller get the idea that they were all painted Navy gray and then painted Army green. There should be a cover over the horn area which I did not see in any of the photos. Jerry

this particular machine has been discussed before, and this is the third or fourth time it's been listed on ebay. the price definitely seems a bit high, especially given the few missing components.

that said, I had one for a while, then sold it, regretted it almost immediately, then a few years later another one was offered to me at twice what I sold mine for. it didn't matter, I bought it right away and won't let it go any time soon. they're great machines, play and sound just as well as any of the higher-end edison DD players, and they've got a lot of character and history.

but considering what this seller has been asking, I can't imagine he'd be at all motivated to sell at a "discount."

Jerry B. wrote:It's a unique and rare machine. I don't know where the seller get the idea that they were all painted Navy gray and then painted Army green. There should be a cover over the horn area which I did not see in any of the photos. Jerry

The instruction book is pictured on its rings, which is normally on the inner side of the cover you mention. That's a good clue, but it'd be better to show the cover just to be clear.
The $1700 starting bid is high, in my opinion, considering the current market.
Bob

Jerry B. wrote:There should be a cover over the horn area which I did not see in any of the photos. Jerry

I think the cover is shown in one of the last pictures - it has a carrying handle on it.

CDB

brianu wrote:but considering what this seller has been asking, I can't imagine he'd be at all motivated to sell at a "discount."

I made a considerably lower bid. Have to wait and see. CDB

Bob, you are 100% correct. The cover is there. Jerry

The seller responded, but I don't think he was impressed with my offer...

CDB

I paid $1,400 for my Army and Navy Diamond Disc phonograph six years ago, and then sold it for $1,700 to a renowned institution in New Jersey two years ago. They're incredibly hard to find in this condition, and I'd say that while the price might be slightly high, it's still pretty fair.

There is one on Craigslist in Knoxville iirc for $685. The inside has been painted red, but the outside has unit decorations.