The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If someone had asked me two weeks ago if I would ever purchase another console talking machine I would have laughed and replied "no!". Well, I was wrong. Good friend Jay Hohenstein discovered this machine in a Portland antique shop. Stan and I had lunch with Jay the day before we left for Orlando and we had our meal at the deli in the antique shop. Jay and Stan said they didn't have room for it and the opportunity passed to me. I'm the one with a strong back and weak mind. I made a cash offer which was accepted and spent two thirds of my Orlando disposable money. I thought a lack of funds would put a damper on my Orlando spending but I was wrong again. I had one blank check with me and apologized to the seller of the mahoganized Victor III as I wrote it. (We've had discussions here on the Forum about the merits of cash or checks at a show. As a frequent seller at Union, APS, and the Rose City (Portland, Or) shows, I fall on the side of cash. Cash circulates around a show and a check is a sale but a dead end.) To test phono friends even farther I purchased a Gem morning glory horn and a maroon Gem with promises to send money. Don't worry boys, the checks are in the mail? Yesterday my son and I moved a couch out of the basement and hauled the Orsenigo to that spot. I'd say both rotator repaired shoulders did fine but it was not easy.

Like it or hate it, I bet you have an opinion. You won't hurt my feelings so let's hear them.

Jerry Blais

My opinion is that it's fabulous. I've seen several Orsenigos, but never one like this.

Spectacular!

George P.

Impressive machine. Those Fletcher reproducers are great for lateral and vertical discs. Congratulations. I was wondering, however, if that ornate carving over the horn limits its volume. I would think it would.

Impressive machine. Those Fletcher reproducers are great for lateral and vertical discs. Congratulations. I was wondering, however, if that ornate carving over the horn limits its volume. I would think it would.

Great question and one that I can't answer yet. It has an electric motor but I bought it without a cord! Jerry

I love it!!!. In my opinion, I like it the best of all your internal horn machines. BTW, is it electric? Glad you had the room for it. Enjoy,
Harvey

Spectacular! I can't wait to see it in person.

Dan

Absolutely amazing!!!! What a great find.

That is a true masterpiece! I love the green top and the needle holder. Wish I had room for something like that. Congratulations on an amazing find! Can you imagine what it would cost today to build one like it?

I went in the shop and looked at this after you told me you had bought it. It was fairly magnificent, looked like it had a gold Fletcher type tone arm and reproducer. Very cool! Looks much better cleaned up.

Cliff

Damn, Jerry, why didn't you get a bigger one?