The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was thinking. How many of us bought a Machine in lackluster condition, or one we might not care for, or one we already have, just because there were some desirable records that came with it? I haven’t. But I’m sure many of us has been in this situation before. Do you pass? Or do you buy the machine keep the records and resale the machine later?

I did buy an early VV-IX years ago because I had to have the record that was playing on it. I still have and play the record, but I sold the machine and I made out well.

More recently I bought a VV-XVI, model B, L-door for the record boxes. I haven’t decided whether or not to keep the machine, (I am leaning toward keeping it).

I have not bought a machine to get the records, no. However, on 2 occasions, I have bought beat up cylinder records to get the boxes they came in. Once I got an original Lambert box, and later I got 2 different Gold Moulded Grand Opera boxes. I was quite happy to buy the "junk" cylinders to get the uncommon boxes!

On two occassions, I purchased common floor model Edison Diamond Disc Machines that were filled with late electric discs (7 Blue Babies, Golded Gate, B.A. Rolfe, Vaughn, De Leath, etc.).
I consider both experiences as twice in a lifetime opportunities.

Best of collecting luck and all good things,

Gene

Yes. A couple of years ago I bought an Edison DD machine because it had a Noble Sissle record on the turntable. A bunch of other records with it, but nothing that exciting. The cabinet was shot, but the motor and reproducer were excellent, so I certainly got my money's worth.

Yes I have to get a record collection which covered 1910 to late 1920's. Many classic records.

I did the same once before to gain a collection from the 1930's to late 1940's.

So twice - and I would do it again for the right records without hesitation.

Not just YES, but HELL YES!

About 20 years ago I bought a low end Orthophonic Victrola for the records. Holy cow that thing came with 4-5 good sized boxes full of really good dance music, blues and a few race records. Those I eventually sold on ebay for way more than I gave for the whole thing. The machine belonged to a minister in the town it came from and I thought maybe he "confiscated" music that wasn't really appropriate. My Mom looked at the records and said "The only denomination around here that allowed music like that was the Episcopal church" The next time I was up there I asked and she was right! North Iowa isn't really much of a hunting ground for that sort of music. Fortunately for me though, Minnesota is MUCH worse. Unless you are really into polka, and popular Scandinavian stuff. It's pretty easy to get a Victrola (or even Edison) up there with a dozen boxes of that stuff included.

Bumping my own thread... Today I went to a local antique store and they had an Edison S-19 for sale with a lateral adapter and some late acoustic era 78s for $200. Problem is, I really don’t need a S-19 because I have a C-19. I don’t want to be stuck with a machine I don’t need just to get the lateral adapter and the records. Not to mention, my family would not be very happy with me buying another floor model machine. ARGH! I guess I’ll go to the Yankee Trader section to get at least a lateral adapter.

Browsing the gramophone listings on eBay I saw the wreck of a Gilbert portable, fit only for spares, less than five miles from my home. The few records which came with it included several G&T's from the sublime (Caruso) to the ridiculous (Dan Leno), reason enough to bid for and win the lot. The gramophone added a motor, soundbox and various ancillaries to my stock of spares.
The seller had no idea why the records which came with this late 1920's gramophone were all pre-1914.