The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If this was mine I would give it to Goodwill.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Antique ... SwFnFV7-sz

Good grief I'm with you, got to see if this sells. Bill K

These Guild Grafonolas turn up from time to time, and if you're interested in the history of our hobby (as opposed to the objects we collect), they're an interesting milestone. We show one of these machines and some original literature on pages 152 & 153 of Phonographs with Flair. The August 1956 issue of Billboard magazine quoted the price of these Grafonolas at $199.95. Original antique phonographs were selling for a fraction of that price at the time, but this was a "High Fidelity Radio and Phonograph Combination." A tri-fold flyer illustrated in the book refers to the Guild's "Nostalgic Styling."

Such "styling" was within the memories of most adults at the time, whereas today most adults look upon our talking machines as artifacts of ancient history. In the mid-1950s, few families wanted to listen to old records, but the look of those old talking machines from childhood evidently had some nostalgic appeal to a society that had experienced the horrors of World War Two, and living under the threat of nuclear annihilation. I suspect that those Guild Grafonolas reminded some folks of what seemed to be a simpler, happier time. Look at the Emerson "old time" radio/phonographs offered in publications popular with senior citizens. I suspect the same appeal is at play there.

Do I want a Guild Grafonola? No, but they represent an interesting moment in time.

George P.

I have sold several of these at estate sales over the years. If someone just wants a decorator piece that they can play all of their vinyl, this will suffice. As a collectible, um, no. They sell consistently between $35 -$50.

I wonder what the circuit is comprised of? Must be nine pin tubes?

Fran

They used one of these in "The Artist."
See thread:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... the+artist
Bob

The turn-table looks very similar to the one in my parents' Wards Airline TV / Radio / Hi-Fi maple colonial console from the early 1960's ...

Guild made a series of nostalgic radios. They made a spice cabinet, crank telephone, treasure chest, desk, and finally the Grafonola. They are very popular with radio collectors. At radio shows and sales, I have seen Guild Grafonolas go for $100-150 in decent working order. With the matching table and brochures, around $175-200.
Harvey Kravitz