Would you let a museum borrow your Victrola...

[OrthoFan]

...after reading this:

museums breaking their own exhibits

...I wonder how much of that goes on in the US?

[bbphonoguy]

The first, last, and only time I loaned out a Victrola, it was to a local theater group needing it for a scene in a musical. It was returned to me with a broken spring. The theater group payed for the repairs, but no, I will not lend out any Victrolas ever again.

[phonophan79]

I wouldn't without some sort of paperwork/terms.

it was to a local theater group needing it for a scene in a musical.

A crapophone would suffice for this purpose... lol, unless they needed to actually play it.

[JohnM]

I had an incredible 15" tall Valentien Pottery vase glaze-decorated by Albert Valentien with the California Poppy, the state flower of California. In 1993, the Oakland Museum borrowed it from me for a show called 'The Arts & Crafts Movement in California: Living the Good Life'. The show was to run six months at the Oakland Museum, six months at the Smithsonian, and then four months at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The loan contract specified that the vase was to be picked up by a professional service and transported in a custom-fitted road case crate. The day the vase was to be picked up, a scruffy-looking young man shows up with a cardboard box full of newspaper and driving a VW bus. I actually took a picture of him, the box, and the bus to document what was going on. Naturally, I called the curator (Ken Trapp, now director of the Corchran) and bitched. A few days later, a proper transport case was delivered and I then released the vase. Unbelievable! I later sold that vase for well into five figures, but the museum sends some Seattle-grunge looking guy with a cardboard box -- and after signing a contract! Whatttt????!!!!!

[Lenoirstreetguy]

I once loaned a batch of quite rare Canadian catalogues and printed material for a book on Canadian recorded sound which was to be produced by a quite reputable phonograph society, but the project bogged down in bickering and one of the organizers died suddenly. Before I could get my material back his widow had sold it. It was, shall we say, a learning experience.

Jim

[phonogfp]

Well, I think I can trump all of these stories...

While taking photographs at the Edison National Historic Site in West Orange, NJ ten years ago, I was told (by a thoroughly reliable inside source) that many years before, the FIRST PHONOGRAPH - - the one made by John Kruesi - - used to be taken to a secure location every time the museum closed for the night. One evening, a museum gopher was carrying it to said location and...dropped it! Yes, dropped it.

We were shooting it at the time, and I recall giving it a very close examination, but I don't recall seeing any signs of damage.

Back when I was a teenager and college student, I told my folks that if anything should happen to me, I'd like my phonographs to go to the county museum located in our village. Over the years, my opinion of museums in general has changed, and I truly believe that nothing (outside of secure storage in a climate-controlled environment) can match the care given to antique phonographs and records by passionate and educated collectors.

I think I shared the story of when I was at the Edison Winter Home in Ft. Myers Florida about 15 years ago. Their signage was inaccurate - sometimes grossly so. Machines were fitted with improper horns, and often the correct horns were present - fitted to improper machines. I asked to speak to the curator, and politely brought the situation to his attention - - stressing that such a fine collection and professional presentation deserved accurate signage and properly-configured machines. I offered to return at their convenience and perform this service for nothing. The curator thanked me, but declined my offer, commenting, "It doesn't matter - - the public doesn't know the difference."

How would you like to donate your phonographs to THAT place?

George P.

[Aaron]

I think I shared the story of when I was at the Edison Winter Home in Ft. Myers Florida about 15 years ago. Their signage was inaccurate - sometimes grossly so. Machines were fitted with improper horns, and often the correct horns were present - fitted to improper machines. I asked to speak to the curator, and politely brought the situation to his attention - - stressing that such a fine collection and professional presentation deserved accurate signage and properly-configured machines. I offered to return at their convenience and perform this service for nothing. The curator thanked me, but declined my offer, commenting, "It doesn't matter - - the public doesn't know the difference."

How would you like to donate your phonographs to THAT place?

George P.

George,

I remeber you telling this story, and i have seen phots of the displays in question. I think the photos are even on some of their post cards. I'll tell you would, it bothers me that they would say such a thing as it it didnt matter. I might not to the public but it sure bothers me

Aaron

[Sidewinder]

Museum - possibly if its out of reach of peoples sticky fingers, like propperly behind glass, and I would install it myself. Also need guarantees and paperwork in case of accidents / fire

Film & Theater : 99% Definite no. It is only there a a prop, an accessory to the main action. You may cherish your Phonograph / Victrola but for the production its just ancilliary stuff moved around by gofers. My father used to lend stuff occasionally and always it ended up in disappointment. I have no idea why he did it, but from the lack of care I have seen also working on a movie set, if a film or top class play company was to come to me for a machine, they would have to pay me as a technical consultant, and provide insurance. (and the film would need some A or B listers!!!!)

If the local theater company wants a machine for yet another production of Pygmalion, my advice would be to buy a $100 crapophone off ebay.

Genrally for movies / theaters / museums: If its free its not worth anything