The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello Everyone

One of my very long term collecting goals is this machine. I already have an Oak Opera and a Mahogany Opera and I consider this to be last form of Opera. I would like to get one to complete my Opera series.

So here are my questions.

How many are out there? Do we know where they are? How much do they typically go for with the cart and without the cart ( I would prefer one without the cart as surely it would be cheaper and frankly it would take up less room)

Thanks everyone.

I've been keeping a census of known School phonographs for almost 20 years, adding to it whenever I hear of a new discovery. As of now I have 37 machines logged. Of those, 21 have their original stand. Several others have replica stands, some quite superbly made. Only a couple still have the original cardboard boxes for records.

The crank is longer than the height of the base so if you place one on a table, without a stand, you'd have to have it off to the right side in order for the crank to clear the table top.

Thanks Tinfoil

Any idea how they are worth and where the machines are?

Why was the crank so long?

Why was the crank so long?

A slightly longer crank would be easier to turn. It was assumed that the School Phonograph would be used with the stand so banging your knuckles on a table top was not thought to be an issue. I hope you find one. We've been dodging the value part of your inquiry... I would imagine a School Phonograph with stand would be in the $12,000 to $15,000 range. Other opinions???

Jerry B.

No need to dodge I wanted an honest answer, even if the answer indicates this will be wwwwaaayyy in the future for me.

Actually the crank is a normal Opera size. But since the case is not as tall as an Opera, the crank hangs lower relative to the case.

The ones I have logged are all over the US and Canada, and several (surprisingly) are in Australia. One is in Korea. I don't know of any in Europe or the UK.

I think Jerry's price range estimate is accurate. They don't come up often.

Is this a public copy or a private copy. Just curious. Thanks

I paid $18,000 for mine in 2008. The beautiful reproduction stand and perfect gray cardboard cylinder boxes amounted to $1000 out of the $18,000, and worth every penny. The Oliphants sold me the machine and had the stand made. Rene informed me that my machine was formerly owned by Dave Heitz.

By the way, TinfoilPhono is Rene Rondeau, who literally wrote the book on tinfoil phonos. It's one of my favorite books.

Jim Nichol

There was one at Stanton's 8 - 10 years ago. It seems like it went for around $16k. I have been going to Stanton's auctions for a long time and that is the only one I have seen. In fact, it is the only one I have seen.

Jim

I bought mine 5 years ago. I first saw it many years ago and expressed interest in it to the collector. I said "if you ever want to sell it, please think of me" with the odd reminder I was still keen along the way.
Being a long time collector the time came to downsize his collection and I got the call. The time frame was about 13 years.
It has no stand but does have three of the original cylinder boxes. I'd love to get a stand made for it. For a machine that never had a lid it is quite a nice example. Horn had been repainted.
I believe there are about 6-7 in Australia.
Rene you have the SN.
I think collecting is a lot "opportunity", buying what turns up at any given time but for specific "wants" its a game of patience.
The three operas side by side would make a mighty display.

Stephen