The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Stopped-in today for the first time at the American Antiques Mall on Grant Road. They have a very nice BC-34 on display with a $199.95 tag on it. It appears to be in very good condition overall, the finish is apparently the Edison dark varnish. It seems to be complete, except the cloth is missing over the horn opening, and the record storage compartments are numbered 1-19 left and 20-38 right. It has the 10/12" selector. I'm not familiar with this model, but the price seemed fair, considering condition.

I was unable to obtain a good photo of the machine, unfortunately, and was unable to wind it or check the functions, though the stylus and reproducer seem to be in good condition.

Also saw a very nice golden oak VV-XIa, by external appearance (the cabinet was locked): it still has the original sticker on the back of the cabinet (sold for $110), but this one was priced at ca. $600, IIRC.

Anyone in the Tucson area might want to check these out.

mhb - Mike

Has anyone been able to go look at these things?
I went to Tucson last Monday, and stopped by the antiques mall with a better camera and a DD record, intending to take some photos and check functions...
Turned-out the shop was closed on Mondays...
If I get back to Tucson soon, (not on a Monday!) I will try again.
Any interest?

mhb - Mike

O.K.: Last bulletin.
I went back to the Antiques mall today equipped with a camera, and took some photos of the BC-34 and the VV-XI-a - the price of the BC-34 is still $199.95 (asking price), and the Victor has been reduced to $550.
I was able to verify that the Edison is functional, though the mainspring is apparently in need of cleaning and lubrication (rumbles) - the reproducer and stylus are fine.
I did not try the Victor, but believe it to be functional, also.

Continued...

mhb - Mike

And, finally, the photos of the Victor. No further bulletins on these follow...
mhb - Mike

Mike: Thanks for going to the trouble returning to take your pictures. BC-34s are a tough sell at any price these days it seems, but it IS upgraded with an Edisonic reproducer from what I can see. That would make it appealing to a local collector. The XI is pretty but still priced too high in my opinion. Again, thanks for posting.
Bob

Seems the Edisonic reproducer with the burnished brass finish should be worth awfully close to $200 by itself if it works. If it does not work well, a rebuild could cost $150 and up. Cliff

CDBPDX wrote:Seems the Edisonic reproducer with the burnished brass finish should be worth awfully close to $200 by itself if it works. If it does not work well, a rebuild could cost $150 and up. Cliff

If the reproducer is worth $200 by itself, it's worth $50 with the machine. After a long time trying, I sold one of these for $30 many years ago. (Not $30 for the reproducer, $30 for the whole phonograph, reproducer included.)