The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Let me state that this is an acquaintance of mine. A very nice guy named Adam who's father is in very bad shape, they are his. I believe it's Alzheimer's, but I'm not positive. Since I know nothing about these machines, I told him I would post here. If any of you would like to give him some tips, pricing,contacts for purchase etc. Feel free to mention my name and that you saw it on this forum. He has been getting a lot of bogus responses on craigslist and we thought this would be a good way to weed out those. I also mentioned that I would be willing to bring any sold to the Wayne show for those interested. Thanks guys Gary
http://cnj.craigslist.org/atq/5346453307.html
http://cnj.craigslist.org/atq/5346442005.html
http://cnj.craigslist.org/atq/5346437800.html
http://cnj.craigslist.org/atq/5346432811.html

Here is my off the cuff reaction, for whatever it might be worth.

Pump organs are in very low demand and the asking price is probably much too high.

VV-XI Victrolas are plentiful, but the asking price seems reasonable.

The 5-bell music box looks to be a fairly late one, noticing, for example, the widely spaced comb teeth. Not a high dollar box and the market is soft now. Assuming that there are no broken teeth, etc., I’d think maybe $1,500 might be more reasonable.

The large Polyphon, if in good condition, seems to me to be fairly priced.

Clay

I always tell people that ANY offer over $50 for most pump organs needs to be seriously considered. Player pianos are the same thing. The bench is usually worth more than the piano. It's unfortunate, but it's the way things are here in the Midwest. Some exceptions of course, but the exceptions are few and far between. Most people cannot tell them apart, and as far as reed organs and player pianos go, most people that already want one, have one.

EarlH wrote:I always tell people that ANY offer over $50 for most pump organs needs to be seriously considered. Player pianos are the same thing. The bench is usually worth more than the piano. It's unfortunate, but it's the way things are here in the Midwest. Some exceptions of course, but the exceptions are few and far between. Most people cannot tell them apart, and as far as reed organs and player pianos go, most people that already want one, have one.

The best feature of that organ is that the high top is intact. The market for fancy victorian furniture is down these days, but this is a little better than most, casewise. Still, value is in the mid hundreds at best.