The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am new to this site and am very excited to see if I can get some help!
My husband and I bought an Operola International Talking Machine many years ago. When we first got it home I looked it up on the Internet and found an entry talking about all types of "Talking Machines" but it also included the story of the makers of the Operola. We need to sell it and I can not find any information on it now. Does anyone have the story about the Operola and any clue about what to charge? The color is a very dark brown and I do not know if it would sell better if I refinished it. Any ideas on that?
I also have a box full of several old books of old 78's. Some of them are the really thick ones and a couple are the monster ones with only one song on one side. I hate to get rid of it. It still works, but we are moving and have no room for it. Thanks for any help you can give me!

You are welcome to place an ad in our "Yankee Trader" section. However, you should post clearer pics of the whole machine and also your location. Then, you may receive offers. Based on the poor images you posted.....the machine is just one of a gazillion company names that jumped on the band wagon after the first war making machines like yours.
Best of luck

Thank you. I will take better pictures when I get home, which is in Ft Worth, TX.

It's always good to provide a list of the record titles you have in the ad.... .

How can I find out what the records are worth?

AnnaB wrote:How can I find out what the records are worth?

There is no set "worth" with any of this stuff. You can list each record & machine on Ebay and see what you get or post an ad and see what offers (if any) you receive. Those are your best choices. Local Craigslist is another route. Again from your pics.....there is not a huge value there as these machine's of this era were made by the thousands.

Looking at another of your questions, it is probably best not to refinish it. Many collectors like having phonographs as original as possible.

Good luck!

Clay