The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All,
I received via. eBay a cylinder record 5086. This record has mildew or mold damage in that there are dull spots on the record that cause static in the music that I find distracting but I like the music. Most of the damage to the record is in a section included in an arc of 102 to 130 degrees of rotation but there is minor damage to the remainder of the record. I know my knowledge of value of records is not great in that the other day I offered up to $90.00 for a cylinder record that the owner afterward said is worth $2000 to 3000 dollars. I wonder if this record might be worth the $33 plus shipping I paid for it. Can any one suggest the value this record might bring in very good to excellent condition.
Thank you all kindly for any input,
Allen

With the possible exception of Taft, Bryan and other scarce artists/titles I avoid any wax cylinder with mold or mildew like the plague. Some early brown wax cylinders can play fairly well with some light mold spotting but black wax cylinders I promptly and totally disregard just as soon as I see the mold/mildew on the surface. Unless the cylinder you purchased at $33 with some mold/mildew was a scarce title or unusual/desirable artist I'm thinking you should have kept searching. There are nicer condition examples to be found with some patience. Unfortunately there are sellers with mercenary tendencies who try to disguise the mold/mildew on wax cylinders by applying various substances to the surface. The visual aspect of the cylinder surface may be slightly improved however the audible (most important aspect IMHO) damage cannot be undone.

This is a celluloid blue Amberol and I do think it had an oil or some thing applied but one can still see the mottled color variation due to the pitting on the record surface. The title is "roll'em Girls Roll Your Own" fox-trot with vocal chorus Bobby Health, Micky Marr, & Archie Fletcher.
Allen

Pitting on a Blue Amberol surface is usually from Diamond reproducer drops. Mold/mildew, in most instances, will not harm the celluloid surface. Stylus digs, scratches, scuffs, missing plaster (for Blue Amberols) will. I thought you were referring to a wax cylinder in the original inquiry. At $33 for a later Blue Amberol Fox Trot title you did not overpay provided it plays fairly well with no skips or repeats. You can try cleaning the celluloid surface with a little GoJo and a soft T-shirt. GoJo (non-pumice type, of course) will not harm the celluloid surface at all. Wipe the surface in the direction of the grooves until it is shiny and completely dry.

The surface noise can be directly identified as due to the surface damage particularly at the start where a large single area of this damage exists. mildue in this case has caused microscopic pitting that looks like a dull spot in the celluloid. I am not speaking of large pits but fine ones that sound like static when the record is played. Will this damage the stylus of my O reproducer?
Thank You All Kindly,
Allen

A Ford 1 wrote:mildue in this case has caused microscopic pitting that looks like a dull spot in the celluloid.

You have piqued my curiosity with this observation. May we see a close up picture (as clear as you are able) of the cylinder surface area you are referring to? Dull areas on celluloid cylinders can sometimes be attributed to excessive wear, heat, toxic substance spillage on the surface or (very infrequently) inferior surface composition. For example, a variety of extremely pale blue Edison Blue Amberols were released that possessed surfaces which are often found worn and noisy today. I have a copy in my collection of "Come Josephine In My Flying Machine" with an extremely pale blue surface and it is noisy in spite of an otherwise fine visual surface appearance.

If its a Blue Amberol..

If the crud/mold does not come off with Isopropol Alcohol or Lighter Fluid..

You are out of luck most likely..but Try it.

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

This record is very very dark blue. I will make a photo later this week as I am preparing a talk now for the Piano Technicians Guild for tomorrow night.
Allen

Hi all,
I have found that the record played with a diamond B reproducer does not exhibit the high static that the O reproducer did. This mainly may be due to the different diaphragms. I will eventually get a photo. no this sight but must respond to the IRS audit I just received before our trip to France. This year is our 15th and Leslie wants to visit Omaha beach where her uncle Peter Hanson landed on D day.
Allen

Also consider that the Diamond B reproducer has
a weight on it which bears down on the record
with the approximate weight of a Baldwin steam locomotive.

That alone would tend to cut down through any gunk
or small irregularities in the surface.