The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

None of us like to dwell on this subject, but what have any of you done to ensure that your collections find good homes at good prices after you've gone?

Don't assume that your nearest and dearest will know what to do. Talk to them now to protect them from being ripped off.

I like the (English?) Hearse looks as if it is early 1950ies. What is the name of the maker?
Allen

I've told those who need to know to call up Stanton's, an auction house here on this side of the pond that specializes in antique mechanical music items.

Clay

I guess I need to give some written instructions. My family will not know what is valuable or what is not. My collection is approximately fifty or sixty Edison's, Victrola, etc. I have a lot of portables some not bad and some so so but all work. My family will not know what to do so it will be up to me. I have too many of the same Edison's but I really enjoy fixing them back up to work and it has been my hobby for years. I will probably have to list them with some approximate value so they will know what they are dealing with. Should I use EBay or the prices in How to repair manual??? Tom B

epigramophone wrote:None of us like to dwell on this subject, but what have any of you done to ensure that your collections find good homes at good prices after you've gone?

Don't assume that your nearest and dearest will know what to do. Talk to them now to protect them from being ripped off.

Good God. An Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire hearse.

I plan to take my collection with me. After all, I will need to have something to do in my next life .. .

I plan to use my Edison Chippendale 250 as a lifebuoy as I ascend through the clouds up to heaven. That is, if I go that way!

A Ford 1 wrote:I like the (English?) Hearse looks as if it is early 1950ies. What is the name of the maker?
Allen

The hearse is based on a long wheelbase Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire chassis, not the Star Sapphire which replaced it.

I owned this 1956 Sapphire saloon until recently, so the hearse version would be first choice for my final journey.

Beautiful vehicle!

Clay

Having started this thread I had better say what I have done to make things easier for the next generation.

Every machine is listed with the purchase price and the cost of restoration, if any.
The majority of my records are listed under various categories such as classical vocal, dance band, comedy etc, and the records are filed by category in the same order. Certain records which my collector friends particularly like will go to them if they are still around.

My son and daughter-in-law are professional musicians who would certainly want to keep some of my collection. Even my young grandchildren are interested in "Grandad's toys". The remainder will be sold through a specialist auction.

As I turn 70 next year it means a lot to me to know that my collection will find good homes.