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Yikes... I think joining this board has created a monster (in me). Here I said I just wanted a little table top Victrola to enjoy, and that I was not planning to become a collector. Yet, here I am noodling around online looking at things I should not even be considering bidding on or buying. However, I digress...

I've always been intrigued by unusual items, and this one fascinates me. Anyone have any idea how high this particular little machine typically sells for?

eBay Item #370414193037

I have the identical machine and mine is marked "Occupied Japan" so it must be post WWII. The Mikky Phone in the shape of a pocket watch is more valuable but this one should be in the $200 to $300 range. I think it's an interesting little machine worth consideration. Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:I have the identical machine and mine is marked "Occupied Japan" so it must be post WWII. The Mikky Phone in the shape of a pocket watch is more valuable but this one should be in the $200 to $300 range. I think it's an interesting little machine worth consideration. Jerry Blais

The round version is actually the Mikiphone (sometimes spelled as "Miki Phone"), which dates from the 1920s, and was Swiss made.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFzBmfuVQUc[/youtube]

The later, square one--the Mikky Phone--as noted, was made in Occupied Japan, and dates from after WWII -- http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6087446

Between the two, I think the earlier one probably goes for more. I remember that there was one, with the original carrying case, that recently sold for around $1,000 on ebay.

That is very cool.

Here is what a complete 1920's Swiss Mikiphone looks like.The leather case and manual are the hard parts to find.I just sold one with needle tin but,less the other two parts for 275.00.

A few examples of the Swiss Mikiphone (important not to be confused with the much later and less sought after Mikkyphone) have sold recently for $1800 with the original cartons, leather carrying cases, original needle tins and instructions!

I would suggest that a 'fair' price for the above minus the leather case, carton and instructions would be about $500 in the current market. I'm certainly not aware of a good example being sold with needle tin under $500 anyway. I do know collectors who would pay anything up to $700 for a nice one with needle tin.

Steve,I will have to concur with you.However,I have seen (over the last year) a few sell with tin "only" for under 500.00.keeping in mind the they were not perfect examples.Although,these "pocket" machines have been discussed in another thread,I would like to point out that there are at least three cases that I have seen.Two in leather and a third in a canvass type of material.There are two different needle tins.The early round stamped tin and the later rectangle green painted tin.Last,I have seen three different manuals.The machine that sold for 1800.00 (Mario's) had the Spanish manual and the shipping box.
The last one I sold "with tin" for 275.00 was to a friend and the case had some nickle loss.
For those of you (like Tinkerbell)that are considering buying a "pocket" machine.I would look at the past thread that shows three different models from that era.That threads heading is "Poll,it's picnic time".
Personaly,my favorite is the "Colibri".