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I'm hoping to someday compile a complete set of Polk Miller Cylinders, I have his Blue Amberols aside from Bonnie Blue Flag, but after finding that one I'd be onto trying to get his 2 minute black waxes, Rise and Shine, Jerusalem Mournin' and Old Time Religion.
Does anyone have any idea on the usual going price of his 2 minute records, I expect it'd be a fair amount when they do show up, but someday I'd like to complete the set

I don't know.

Jerusalem Mournin' is one that I've always wanted too. Just a catchy, from-the-heart song. Lots better lyrics than the modern versions too.

Are they rare cylinders? I never find them here in the South. But then again, we didn't buy many cylinder phonographs--most people waited until 1915 to 1930 to buy a record player.

kirtley2012 wrote:I'm hoping to someday compile a complete set of Polk Miller Cylinders, I have his Blue Amberols aside from Bonnie Blue Flag, but after finding that one I'd be onto trying to get his 2 minute black waxes, Rise and Shine, Jerusalem Mournin' and Old Time Religion.
Does anyone have any idea on the usual going price of his 2 minute records, I expect it'd be a fair amount when they do show up, but someday I'd like to complete the set

You can expect to pay at least $150+ for a clean Miller 2 minute wax if it's mold free and in otherwise excellent undamaged condition. A matching lid will add obviously. These later two minute wax cylinders were not big sellers to begin with since Edison was pushing the new four minute format. The sound quality on these is exceptional, however, and they're well worth having and paying for IMO.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:...we didn't buy many cylinder phonographs--most people waited until 1915 to 1930 to buy a record player.

Where do you get that from? Edison catered far more to rural customers than to urban dwellers, so your statement makes no sense.

Sean

OrthoSean wrote:

kirtley2012 wrote:I'm hoping to someday compile a complete set of Polk Miller Cylinders, I have his Blue Amberols aside from Bonnie Blue Flag, but after finding that one I'd be onto trying to get his 2 minute black waxes, Rise and Shine, Jerusalem Mournin' and Old Time Religion.
Does anyone have any idea on the usual going price of his 2 minute records, I expect it'd be a fair amount when they do show up, but someday I'd like to complete the set

You can expect to pay at least $150+ for a clean Miller 2 minute wax if it's mold free and in otherwise excellent undamaged condition. A matching lid will add obviously. These later two minute wax cylinders were not big sellers to begin with since Edison was pushing the new four minute format. The sound quality on these is exceptional, however, and they're well worth having and paying for IMO.

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:...we didn't buy many cylinder phonographs--most people waited until 1915 to 1930 to buy a record player.

Where do you get that from? Edison catered far more to rural customers than to urban dwellers, so your statement makes no sense.

Sean

I live in the Deep South. Those old enough to have heard from long-dead parents & grandparents told me that they either had no money for a phonograph, or had no idea that there was such a thing as the Edison cylinder phonograph.

The Edison Company did cater to rural customers. However, "Edison" did not automatically mean "cylinder phonograph." Diamond Disc, Grafonola, and Victrola machines show up around here, but the Edison cylinder machines that do surface are usually cheap models. Amberola 30s are more difficult to find in these parts than you might think. I've seen maybe 15 cylinder records in antique stores, total, until I got up into the upstate.

"Around here" refers to mid-state South Carolina, AKA the "Pee Dee" region. (Blame the embarrassing spelling on the Indian population of the 1700s and the innocent but naive colonists) Phonographs held on here until electricity came, but they were usually Victrola or off-brand models.

So it doesn't make sense with the "Conventional Wisdom," because this area is phonograph-poor and has been for a long time.