Phonograph Delivered by Stagecoach...???

[Curt A]

Sometimes in the midst of all the excitement surrounding a potential eBay listing, seller's descriptions seem to be over the top. The reality is that a little study of history would be prudent before making claims on the origins of any particular item... for example, this 1920's no name phonograph for $2,500.

A little background on stage lines in Colorado in the 1800s:
By 1869, they were concentrating their efforts on expanding their routes in Colorado due to the booming mining industry. In July, 1870, the Company bought out the Denver and Santa Fe Stage Line and renamed it the Southern Overland Mail and Express. Later that year, in December, they moved their headquarters to Denver. The company continued to grow in Colorado, becoming the largest stage line in the area and in 1874, the headquarters moved again to Granada, Colorado.

Two years later, despite rumors of bribery and corruption within the company, the stage line continued to expand. However, by 1878, Bradley Barlow withdrew and the name of the company was changed to J.L. Sanderson and Company Overland Stage and Express Line. In 1879, the railroad was pushing through Colorado, dramatically cutting into the stage line business but the company hung on for several more years, once again relocating its headquarters to Buena Vista. Though business was down, the stage lines continued to operate into the 1880's, though often plagued by bandits.

Now, on to the detailed description of this phonograph:
"Up for auction is an extremely rare Wing & Son of New York phonograph from the early 1900's. The phonograph has been restored back to it's original condition and looks absolutely amazing. This was brought to the west by a family member by stagecoach in the early part of the century."

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-1900s-Win ... 43d7e3c9bf

[emerson]

Did they get the plate number off the stagecoach----looks more like a hit and run

[Phono-Phan]

"Restored back to it's original condition"???? No turntable felt!!!!

[Curt A]

The only rational thing that I can think of is that it was delivered to Colorado in the 1920s by bank courier... Wells Fargo

[Phonofreak]

I saw that and told Curt about it. Both of us were busting a gut laughing about this. It makes me laugh and hard to take seriously these tall tales that sellers will say. I'm waiting to hear about a phonograph brought over by covered wagon, or the one found at Sutter's Mill. Great history about the stage coach lines in Colorado.
Harvey Kravitz

[De Soto Frank]

Well, we all know that Puritan phonographs came over on the Mayflower, with the Pilgrims...

[Retrograde]

Well, we all know that Puritan phonographs came over on the Mayflower, with the Pilgrims...

...and the Meteor phonographs came from interplanetary space when the owners felt their meteor rights were being infringed upon!

[De Soto Frank]

Well, we all know that Puritan phonographs came over on the Mayflower, with the Pilgrims...

...and the Meteor phonographs came from interplanetary space when the owners felt their meteor rights were being infringed upon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NQ3kXLKfDM

[VintageTechnologies]

I recall seeing a phonograph that apparently came from an Egyptian tomb. Not only that, it had a Victor record by Billy Murray titled "3000 Years Ago". Another record in the cabinet was titled "Old King Tut".

[Curt A]

The dealer added some clarification to the description: "This rare phonograph was delivered by stagecoach to Colorado after it was recovered from the home of Billy The Kid, when he was shot by Pat Garrett on July 14, 1881. The phonograph had been stolen from the seller's great-greatgrandfather by Billy during a holdup in Gallup, New Mexico and hidden at Billy's hideout near Fort Sumner, New Mexico. After being returned to the original owner's family, it was completely restored and has been handed down for generations in that same family."