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Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 10:15 pm
by Zwebie
I was just looking at past "buy-it-now" auctions on Ebay and came across this!

Someone got a Steal, ($4500), on a Rare Tuba=Phone!

Hopefully it was someone on the Forum, and hopefully we will see more of this machine.

I can't remember what the one in the Schlick Auction went for, but I do remember it was a lot.

Cheers, Bob S.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Berliner-Tradem ... 7675.l2557

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 10:53 pm
by oldphonographsteve
That is what a call a NICE buy. I had never known there were special record holding boxes made during this period. I am surprised at how intricately carved it is considering it was just for holding records!

-Steve

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:30 am
by JohnM
oldphonographsteve wrote:That is what a call a NICE buy. I had never known there were special record holding boxes made during this period. I am surprised at how intricately carved it is considering it was just for holding records!

-Steve
Records were cutting edge technology back then and were expensive to boot. That being said, the trim on the record storage box is steam-pressed, not carved.

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 12:43 pm
by Schlick
What a FIND for someone!!!

I, too, hope we get to see more of it here!

Schlick one was nickle, this one appears to be brass or gold plate (spring cover and arm)?

Although, according to the ad below, even @ $4,500, whoever got it paid WAY too much! ;)
H5675-L59672091.jpg

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:32 pm
by Valecnik
Schlick wrote:What a FIND for someone!!!

I, too, hope we get to see more of it here!

Schlick one was nickle, this one appears to be brass or gold plate (spring cover and arm)?

Although, according to the ad below, even @ $4,500, whoever got it paid WAY too much! ;)
H5675-L59672091.jpg
What a helluva mess to drag across that poor record and with such a small motor!

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:49 pm
by Zwebie
I finally found the link!

The one at the Schlick Auction sold for a whopping $17000, (and that was before commission).

Here's the link: http://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/B ... F4254501F/

Cheers, Bob S.

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 4:50 pm
by US PHONO
Looks like the machine was posted at 10:59, and at 11:14 someone hit the buy it now button. Great score. It is essentially a very expensive horn. The brass one appears more original. Anyone know what is written onto the side of the horn?

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 5:16 pm
by Zwebie
Anyone know what is written onto the side of the horn?
Yes.

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 5:25 pm
by phonogfp
Thanks for posting the image, Bob. :)

It's interesting that the nickeled version seems to have been engraved, but in the closeup of a brass version shown in Antique Phonograph Accessories & Contraptions (page 12) it appears to have been stamped. The patent date is also absent from the nickeled version, but it appears on the brass one.

George P.

Re: Berliner Tuba=Phone !!!!

Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:21 pm
by StL Bill
I was the fortunate collector that was in the right place at the right time. It literately took my breath away when I refreshed the Ebay page and it appeared as the top listing.After quickly scanning the description and pictures, I could not click the Buy-It-Now button fast enough. As you can see, the tone arm was shown missing, but it turned up there about a week later and I was able to buy it also. It still retained the celluloid tag, but was missing the horn support and swivel post. But as you can see, the tone arm swivel yolk was wired ton the support arm. There was no reproducer or crank, I am still on the hunt for a J reproducer and crank. The machine, horn, and record cabinet are currently involved in some restoration, and they are all turning out great. There were 30 records in the record box, 19 Berliners, 6 Zonophones, 1 Consolidated !,1 Improved Victor !, 2 early Victors, and 1 that I believe to be a pirated Berliner. I am very close to having every thing done, I will certainly post many pictures when it is done. Thanks for the interest.

Bill Feiner