The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Recently I was showing a friend of mine a photo of phonograph dancing figures in "The Talking Machine Compendium",including a Ragtime Rastus.An antique dealer told me that he has one for $85.It's original,I assume.Is $85 for "Rastus" a good price?How much do the originals usually run?edisonplayer

.It's original,I assume

Reproductions have been made since the 1990's so be careful. But the reproductions were well made and with the base, $85 is a fair price. $85 for an original would be a deal.

Jerry B.

I assume the dealer's is original.But without seeing it(which I will this coming Sunday)I can't say for sure.If my Rastus is,then $85 would be a super deal.edisonplayer

Did you purchase Rastus? Jerry B.

Yes,I got him yesterday.The dealer gave me $5 off the price since he was missing his left leg and foot.Is there anyone out there who can refurbish my Rastus toy?That way,he'd be usuable.edisonplayer PS;BTW;It is an original.

I have an extra leg and arm--- Anything here help you? But lower leg is fiber, like the arms. Upper leg piece is identical to the upper leg on my all wooden leg version.

Brad Abell

The sure way to tell if the mechanism is original is that the company name is stamped into the wood on the underside.

My Ragtime Rastus is missing the ring that surrounds the piece that goes over the spindle.Is it possible to make a new one?edisonplayer