The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151709772942?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Hi Ronnie,
I saw this cabinet and I like it for its craftsmanship but I don't think it could have started life as a cylinder cabinet. It makes no sense to me. I believe it might be a liquor cabinet adapted to hold cylinders. I base this notion on the top - which has raised hinges which is not a good idea if a machine was going to be placed there. Then the top must be opened to open to access the highest shelf of cylinders, otherwise you couldn't get the cylinder over the peg and out of the cabinet, and if you did that, one would have to remove the machine from its proper place, as the folding slab of oak would hit your oak Opera! Mind you it is a helluva piece of furniture and a lot of work went into it. Note it would work AOK as long as you don't use the top cylinder shelf or open the lid - if that is where you choose to put your machine. Fabulous craftsmanship! Best John

Ripduf1 wrote:I believe it might be a liquor cabinet adapted to hold cylinders.

finally, that's one for phonographs... which I guess would render the score at this point, phonos 1, to bar/booze-cabinet conversions several thousand and counting.

Perhaps it was originally a record cabinet, then modified to be a bar cabinet, and then modified yet again? Just a thought. Someone here surely has a copy of the Herzog catalog? The reason I say that is that a master cabinet maker would probably be hesitant to put visible hinges on top. I could see using piano hinges, but hinges that stick through the top? This piece has seen serious tinkering, especially considering the finishing job and shiny hardware.

Garret

Hi Garret, Yes I have a copy of the Herzog catalog faithfully reproduced and available from member Shawn. Shawn O'rourke. It is disc and cylinder catalog and does not show this cabinet which of course would be true if it wasn't conceived of as a disc or cylinder cabinet. You can argue that the catalog I used is a snap shot of a particular year but I just don't see this cabinet being for music items.

I guess what we would desire is a full line Herzog catalog that shows everything they made including music and liquor cabinets.
John

Based upon its style, this cabinet is likely a Salter cylinder cabinet. The seller never referred to is as a Herzog, which would account for it not being present in their catalog.

Further, given the measurements provided, there is ample room to place an Edison Triumph on it, for example, and raising the lid enough to rest against the player for cylinder access.

It is also true that some cylinder cabinets were designed as display pieces and not necessarily intended for phonograph display.

Based upon the seller's feedback rating and associated comments, I suspect this is legitimate and as represented.

For full disclosure, while I do know the seller, I have never purchased from him and as such not responsible for any eBay feedback comment related to him that you may see.

What ever the case may be, the price is climbing. John has a lot more knowledge than me, and I will take his advice.
If it is authentic, it is a rare and pretty cabinet.

Hey Guys, I support what Rod said, and I know the owner too.

I've seen detailed high-res pictures of this cabinet. It has every hallmark of being a Salter cabinet. There is nothing Herzog about it. As well, it is a factory piece, not a converted cabinet. It is a very high-end cylinder cabinet that would be a cornerstone cabinet in a collection.

Shawn O'Rourke

This is a true Salter cabinet. We have one that my Father had in his collection that is an exact match to this one. It is still up at the farm. There is nothing incorrect about this one.

I stand corrected in my assumption. I have a SAlter quarter barrel for disc that is exceptionally well made and one of my favorites, and I am sure this cabinet is just as well made. A true rarity!

Shawn, find me a full line salter catalog! John