Crazy hodgepodge...is the Bettini part fake?

[PeterF]

Ok, experts, weigh in on this please: http://www.ebay.com/itm/292105428880

The Bettini looks a little rough...does it look authentic to those of you who are experienced and qualified in such matters?

Should be fun to see what sort of bidding frenzy erupts over this lot. Bonus elements include a leather elbow, Victrola #4, and even a Ragtime Rastus base.

More than anything I wonder how this wildly-varied pile got assembled in the first place, by whom, and how it came into the hands of the seller. And in Florida, to boot.

[PeterF]

Well, the pile went for 580 smackers, so at least two people thought it was worth the gamble.

Call me a bad collector, but I put the Bettini stuff in the same bucket as the fabled brass orthophonic reproducers: nice to find because of the rarity, but not worth the inflated price of admission on the basis of performance alone.

Hoping Rene or George or others might chime in here and tell us whether Bettini performance is truly and noticeably better. I already know it's not true for the brass orthos.

[rgordon939]

It would be interesting to know if the person who bought this Lot including the Bettini reproducer was the same person who bought the Spring Motor in Spain with the Bettini mount.

Rich Gordon

[FellowCollector]

The Bettini reproducer that was sold in this lot was (I believe) designed for a Columbia Graphophone not for an Edison Spring Motor. As far as I know original Bettini reproducers and recorders had the 'Bettini' trademark on them. I didn't see any on this one so (again, I believe!) this was not an original Bettini. I could be wrong and will be happy to be corrected if so. I'm still looking for a Bettini model N for my original Bettini carriage that needs it.

Doug

[GeorgeDixon]

I believe it is a Bettini Systems Columbia licensed reproducer.

Ben

[Stephen_Madara]

I believe there were some made in the 1990's I think his name was Dan Bohline . If this is one of his it's one if his better ones as most were roughly cast.

[GeorgeDixon]

I believe it is a Bettini Systems Columbia licensed reproducer.

Ben

Here is one that sold on eBay

https://picclick.com/Bettini-Pattern-Ph ... 16715.html

[rgordon939]

Very nice reproducer Ben, wish I was the winning bidder.

Rich Gordon

[GeorgeDixon]

Very nice reproducer Ben, wish I was the winning bidder.

Rich Gordon

Nope, not me on that one...saw it after it was over! I will send you an email shortly on other items. Thanks, Ben