The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

These were sold as souvenirs at the 1904 St. Louis fair and at the 1905 Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition . Post reply or PM Please if you have one to sell.
Thanks Eric

Can you put a value on this ?

ehs004 wrote:Can you put a value on this ?

Rare as can be. Expect to pay upwards of $400. At least that is what I have seen over the years.

One sold on eBay a week or two ago for well over $1000.

George P.

Here is a link to a thread I created a few months ago that has a YouTube video of the very scratchy cylinder from the Portland exhibition. You will hear how poor the sound is on these cylinder. I am sure some are better than others, but I am guessing this is what most of them sound like. And, as stated in the thread, these cylinders are very often cracked and unplayable without significant repair.

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =3&t=32711

Mine has a woman's voice singing, but as I recall it's not really decipherable. I haven't played it since the eighties.

George P.

Since my wife and I are both native St Louisians, we are both interested in all souvenirs from the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair. We have many pieces that were either sold or given away at the Fair, and I have been able to acquire a few phonograph related items. These are not for sale, but I thought that some of you might be interested in seeing them. I know of at least one other piece of literature the was given away at the Columbia exhibit, but so far it has eluded me. The first pictures show the napkin ring cylinder that the visitor at the Columbia booth could record their voice on and then take it home as a souvenir. This particular cylinder is still blank, it was never recorded on. The second picture shows the Columbia disc stick-pins that were also given away at the Columbia booth. I have seen 3 different song titles, I have these 2. The 3rd picture is a pamphlet that was given away at the Edison Exhibit. If anyone is aware of any other phonograph related souvenirs from the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair, I would love to hear about them. By the way, as you can see, the 1904 Worlds Fair was officially called The Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

Bill

Thanks for sharing St Louis Bill ,
Those are indeed neat artifacts you have there something to be proud of !!
Thanks Eric

melvind wrote:

ehs004 wrote:Can you put a value on this ?

Rare as can be. Expect to pay upwards of $400. At least that is what I have seen over the years.

If you decide to let go of your let me Know!
Thanks Eric