The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Yesterday I did something that I've been meaning to do for years. After the Stanton auction, which I attended with my son, we went to visit Don & Bobbie Gfell in Milan, Ohio.

Those of you who know Don & Bobbie, and of their wonderful wood horns, realize what unassuming and down-to-earth folks they are. In my years of association, Don never once bragged about his collection or facilities. But I just knew the visit would be special.

Well, all I can say is nothing in my wildest imagination prepared me for the scope, variety and depth of their amazing collection. My head was positively spinning after a once-around of the facility. You name it, it's there, from Tin Foils, Class Ms, to the last Edisons ever made. And samples and displays of everything Edison ever made, from light bulbs to cement. And, if you can't name it, it's there too...phonographs and gadgets I never have seen or heard of. And ephemera, signage, horns, etc. all add to the overwhelming variety and immersion into all things phonograph. WOW!!!

Don also gave us a wonderful demonstration of his horn-building, and the various processes and techniques involved. That alone was worth the visit.

To top all of this off, Don and Bobbie are building a new house right across from his workshop and museum, where they shall live. It is an architectural replica of Edison's Menlo Park laboratory, and will have interior design elements with Edisonian touches.

All this, in the setting of Milan, Ohio, birthplace of Edison.....a quaint town that cherishes their association with our greatest inventor.

If anybody reading this ever has the opportunity, GO THERE! Nicer and more gracious hosts you will not find, and the tour will keep your head spinning.

Bravo, Don & Bobbie, you guys are an American treasure!

Raphael

Thanks for your post. I've enjoyed Bobbie and Don at the Union show for many years. They don't come any more friendly or modest. Jerry Blais

Wow !

(Just for the record, that town in Ohio is pronounced "MY-len"... I was passing through Northern Ohio a few years back, and at a gas-stop, I asked the clerk "How far to Milan?" ("mih-LAHN"). She was silent for quite a few seconds, looking at me as though I had three heads, then replied, "Sir, mi-LAHN is in Italy; "MY-len" is about 10 miles down the road."

You can't find any better (& honest) people than the Gfell's!

Iowa Dale

I last went to Union in 2015, on a trip with my parents and my daughter. After driving from Chicago to Detroit, to visit the Henry Ford, we went to Ohio, then to Washington D.C, to see relatives in N.J., and then, on the way back to Chicago, we stopped at Milan. I am SO glad we did! We arrived late evening, and had to leave early morning. Don had given me his phone number at Union, and when I called, he opened up his shop/museum/collection that night. It was INCREDIBLE! Next morning, we visited the Edison birthplace (closed--but nice to walk around and take pictures). We found Don and his wife taking a morning walk, and Don once again opened up his shop to us for some more looking (drooling!). They are such nice folks! Milan is also a nice town to visit--a must for any phonograph collector!

Mike Sorter