The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi Forum Folks-- A friend recently found a Herzog half-barrel as pictured. The decal on the front is obviously old and it appears that the original finish coat was applied over the decal. Has anyone seen another example of a Herzog with this type of enhancement? The cabinet shows evidence of the 4-pronged cylinder clips on the shelves rather than the cardboard pegs.
A knowledgeable Forum member has indicated that a key bezel is missing and offered his opinion that the decal may have been a dealer add-on at the request of a customer.

Also- Would you leave as-is or strip and refinish, losing the decal? -- The top has some water damage/discoloring that can be fixed but would require stripping.

Thoughts?

Thanks-

Brad Abell

I wouldn't strip it. The front looks to be in very good shape, and it would be a shame to loose the beautiful and unique decal.

Martin

I agree with Martin and would enjoy it with the decal. But I would restore the inside with clips or pegs.

Jerry B.

Yep leave that decal on the outside alone. Work on the inside and top I think you said. Nice piece all around. Neil

Authenticity aside, I think that decal looks lousy on that piece.

Since it appears to have been applied before the original finish, I would leave it.

Refinish the top if it's bad enough, but other than maybe re-flowing the shellac, I'd leave the rest of it alone.

Leave the decal.

Leave the decal, but drape a doily or something over it, so you don't have to look at the fugly thing.

Wow, I seem to be the only on eho really likes it

Thank you everyone for your opinions on this cabinet. I will pass them along to my friend. I like the decal. It's part of the history of the machine and may well have been put on there for the original owner. Ultimately it's my friend's decision.

Restoring the inside is a given. The cabinet is missing the three door shelves so they will need to be made.. The likelihood of finding 147 4 pronged clips is pretty low, so I suspect we will make the door shelves and then drill all shelves to receive the cardboard pegs... or perhaps make all shelves and save the two original inside shelves.

Attached are a few pictures of a cabinet I recently completed. Door shelves are newly made, inside shelves are original. I think my friend's cabinet will look great.

Thanks again!

Brad Abell