- APS Logo.jpg (304.97 KiB) Viewed 1762 times
Well, just when I think I should back off promoting the Antique Phonograph Society...!
If you go to the "Society News" section of this forum, you'll see a number of threads about new articles added to the APS web site, free presentations being given in venues around the U.S., free phonographs being given to new collectors, and other items of interest. That should give collectors an idea of what the APS is about. The organization is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity, and all staff are volunteers.
But why should a collector join?
1) The well-being and future of our hobby. There's a lot of talk these days about younger people in general not being interested in antique phonographs. Some older collectors worry about getting back their investment in their collections. These are valid concerns, but rather than fretting, the APS is doing something about it. As mentioned above, several antique phonographs have been given to young collectors who otherwise could not locate/afford an antique phonograph. In addition, presentations and displays are offered at schools and universities every year. (One annual event at a prominent Engineering university has been drawing increasing crowds each year since its inception.) The APS has on several occasions been consulted by film and TV production units for advice on historical accuracy with its phonographic props. In this way, accurate depictions will hopefully help educate and interest audiences. In the "talking stage" is a prepared presentation for anyone who wishes to do a demonstration in a school or other public venue. Ideas are NOT in short supply - but sometimes manpower is!
The "Contact Us" page of the APS web site answers many, many questions from people interested in learning more about their antique phonographs. It's bread upon the water.
- March2015cover.jpg (129.95 KiB) Viewed 1762 times
2) Direct rewards. Antique Phonograph Society members receive a full-color, 52-page quarterly journal containing articles reflecting the latest research as well as sheer eye candy. Most members state that the journal alone is worth the annual dues. But there's more. The APS web site currently contains approx. 20,000 pages of documents dating from January 1890 to the present day. These documents include period articles, original catalogs, and a wide variety of collector publications from the 1960s to the present - accessible only by APS members. Even the back issues of the APS quarterly journal are all available. Perhaps most important - EVERYTHING IS SEARCHABLE. No more pawing through piles of papers wondering where that particular article is hiding. Just type it into the search bar and you'll have your answer in seconds.
Of course, there is an "Introductory" section of articles on the web site that is accessible to the general public. After all, we're trying to entice new people into the hobby.
There are different levels of articles for members only, including "Intermediate," "Advanced," "Technical," and "Book Features." (Current full-length books include
The Talking Machine Industry by Ogilvie Mitchell (1921),
Sonora Phonographs, by R.J.Wakeman,
The Reproduction of Sound, by Henry Seymour (1918), and
Brunswick Phonographs, Panatropes, and Records, by R.J.Wakeman.
There's also a "Videos" section available to members only, which shows the operation of dozens of wonderful phonographs of all types from the 1890s into the 1940s.
If the Antique Phonograph Society sounds like something you'd like to support (and enjoy as well), you can join in about 2 minutes here:
https://www.antiquephono.org/join-us-home/
To learn more about the Antique Phonograph Society, go to the Home Page and browse the 10 tabs:
https://www.antiquephono.org/
Best to all,
George P. (Proud APS Member)
