The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

About ten years ago I built some cylinder record racks. I kept a few for myself including the one shown in the photo. I had the prototype sitting in the attic and when the local antique mall asked if I'd like to sell cylinders, it seemed like a good idea to use the rack.

A few days ago I visited the antique mall and checked on my record rack. At $10 each the cylinders move slowly and I expected to see six or eight blank spots. I was surprised to see every spot filled and about six extra records sitting on the top. I picked up a record placed on the top and it had a different dealer number than my own. I didn't really care if other dealers used my display rack but I couldn't resist the temptation to look at the cylinders that were not mine. The second record I checked was "Let Us Not Forget" by Thomas Edison. True story!

Jerry Blais

Let us not forget this valuable lesson.
Nobody is an expert in everything.

James.

That is a mighty nifty rack. Would you share any advice on materials and how it was built? It looks good to keep favorites in.

Hey Jerry, I would buy every cylinder in that rack at $10 apiece.

Rich Gordon

Jerry, you should play the lottery. I can't even imagine how many DD's and cylinders I have looked through and have never found a copy.

The racks were really simple to build. The only materials needed are oak for the frame and welding rods large enough to support the weight of the records. You can see that the records are stored at an angle so you just need to figure out the hole pattern, drill the top and sides to accept the rods, cut the rods slightly longer than the width and height of the frame and assemble. The one shown in the above photo is deep enough to accept 20th Century Columbia cylinders. You simply move the back rod to a pre-drilled hole and it makes that row deeper. Jerry Blais

That's actually the second copy I've found in an antique shop. Really! Jerry

A few years ago, I responded to a Craigslist ad in Seattle, WA. The seller was selling 160 Edison BA's for $100.00 I looked through 5 of them and they were all good titles. I kept a straight face, paid the money and took them home. This is one of those times, you pay the money and don't dicker the price. I looked through them, and I couldn't believe it, I found Let Us Not Forget, the short version. I figure the cost of each cylinder was $.62 ½ cents each. If anyone finds a Let Us Not Forget cylinder for less than $.62 12/2 cents each, let me know.
Harvey Kravitz

Love the rack Jerry! The "LUNF" surprise was amazing. I have pictured my own rack ( Wow! That doesn't sound right!) My own cylinder record holder (That's better) This is an original cylinder rack. I've never seen another like it, but assume it was the work of a handyman... perhaps used in a small General Store somewhere with limited space and small inventory. It holds my favorite cylinders.

I have two LUNF stories to share-- 1) While traveling with a fellow collector, hitting antique shops, I quite literally stumbled on a pile of DD's sitting on the floor in a dark corner. The sign said "$5 each". At that price I don't always take the time to squat down and go through records. I have hundreds of DD's and bad knees. But-- on this occasion, it took all of 5 seconds to be happy I took the time to look. The second record in the stack was a near mint copy of LUNF.

Second story-- I, too, had looked for many years for a cylinder copy of LUNF, at a price I could afford. A few years ago I was at a local auction house that had advertised several machines and boxes of cylinders. I paid $160 for a box of 120 Blue Amberol cylinders. Lots of Uncle Josh, Billy Murray, etc--- and on the next to last level was a beautiful LUNF long-version. I paid $1.33 per cylinder--- Over TWICE what Harvey paid for his. He must of hit the clearance sale!

Brad Abell

Great story that keeps us all looking through box after box of 78's and cylinders.
You really never know when fate is going to smile down on you!
Congratulations Jerry, Harvey, and Brad!!!
Gene