The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I would buy it, but think it is a little over priced?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201174773448?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Actually, that's not a bad price at all. If I remember correctly the Ray Phillips' replica was $2500 several years ago and they sold out immediately. They're selling for much more now whenever one turns up on the resale market. (I heard of one that reportedly sold for $4K recently.)

The eBay one is by far the most accurate of three known production series of Hardy replicas. The first was made about 20 years ago by Guido Severijns in Holland. His were well made but the painting and gilding were not up to the quality of this eBay one. Then there was the series by Ray Phillips. Very nicely done but there were two major differences from original: the metal castings were brass, not iron, and the mandrel was stainless steel, not steel with a thin brass rim as on the originals. The nameplate was cast right into the base, not a separate piece as original, and the finish was powdercoated.

The one on eBay is from a series that was started in 1977 but the project was set aside and not completed until the past 5 years or so. I've examined a couple in person and they are pretty stunning. As I recall the price in France, where they were made, was 3,000€ in 2010, which is roughly $3900 at the current exchange.

So in that light, $2500 is actually a bargain.

If I needed one I would jump on that in a heartbeat.

Dang Rene, you almost have me talked into it.

So, did you buy it...? It's SOLD...

Nope. I've heard from the very happy and very lucky buyer. He's beside himself with excitement. Seriously, that was a steal. Even though I didn't need it, I'm starting to regret not buying it as an investment. I'd wager I could have flipped it for a fast $1K if I were more mercenary and less focused on collecting.

But that's okay. A good person got it and will love it, and I still have my original, which is a capstone of my entire collection. (As my avatar infers.) I truly love the Hardy because it was specifically designed by Edison in January 1878, incredibly early, and equally specifically commissioned by him to be the very first phonograph ever sold to the public. It was something of a flop in the market, but its historic importance is beyond compare.

There are currently 21 originals known to survive, the vast majority in museums. There are only six known in the US.

When I pulled it up to buy it, It was gone. Snooze and loose, but I didn't know anything about it. I don't buy on impulse anymore.

Congratulations to the new owner of such a treasure!

Fran

fran604g wrote:Congratulations to the new owner of such a treasure!

Fran

One of my collecting buddies said it was just a door stop. Only 39 years old. I laughed at him and thought, some people just don't get it.