The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have three phonographs that I would like to give away. One is an Edison A-100, one is a Brunswick, and the other one is a Sonora. My intentions are to give these away to any one under the age of 18 in hopes to get some younger people interested in phonographs. I am in central Wisconsin and will include a box of records also. The last time I did this I got two young students interested in how they worked and they appreciated the offer. All three of these will need a little attention to get them playing and I can assist with that.

What a wonderful thing you are doing. You certainly should be commended for doing this not only as a kind act but for trying to get young people involved in collecting phonographs. I have a couple teenagers who come to the Wayne NJ show that we always give them some records or cylinders for free. It keeps them coming back to every show.

Rich Gordon

Ken B... Free phonos to promote our hobby plus he brings craft beers to Union for the old timers. What a guy! Jerry B.

Must be the alignment of the stars. A friend of ours just bought his first phono...an Orthophonic Consolette (or Colony? I get them confused). First thing I did is pulled out a stack of Victor scroll Orthophonics, and shipped them off to him!

This is what it is all about! A great way to interest the younger generation. Let's face it, the fate of our machines will fall upon the next generation. None of my nieces and nephews seem interest, of course my sister is all about new stuff.

As a teenager myself, I really would like to commend you for offering these. Unfortunately, I'm no where in your area, otherwise I'd jump at the offer.

This is a great idea Ken, we definitely need new collectors introduced to our hobby and giving them their first machine is something they will always remember. Do you remember your first machine?

Wes

I couldn't agree more about getting new collectors in the hobby. I did this once before and got a 14 year old interested. He still has the one I gave him. I would like to put out a challenge to other members of this forum to consider doing something like this. We all have some low end machines that would be great candidates.

This topic seems pretty well timed! The Antique Phonograph Society recently received as a donation an Edison Standard phonograph in average condition, plus a few cylinders. Like many of us on this forum, the APS believes the future of this hobby will either wither or prosper depending on interest generated among young people. Therefore, the APS has decided to donate this machine to a deserving teenager or young adult. Our goal is to have completed preparations to do this by the Union Phonograph show.

We would like to team that young person with a mentor who can help guide him/her through restoration and the early stages of collecting. The recipient need not attend the Union Phonograph show, but should reside close enough to his or her mentor so that there can be effective guidance and skills development.

If you would like to recommend a young person who would appreciate such a gesture, please PM me with your recommendation and some background information on your candidate.

Thanks and best to all,

George P.

That's awesome George! I'm sure there's someone out there who would love the Standard and learn from the experience of having it given to them.

Wes