The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The following is a restoration of a 1907 Herzog # 820 record cabinet that I recently completed for a local phonograph collector and friend. This cabinet had seen better days having one of the corner medallions broken off, all four feet cut short, painted white then green, and the top veneer being damaged by the over watering of a potted plant.

First, I completed the already started stripping process with the use of a dental pick to remove all of the paint, then sand and repaired the veneer lid. Fortunately, the owner had Edwardo (from Peru) carve replacements so all I had to do was cut and sand them to correctly fit the cabinet. I used a Mohawk Mahogany wiping stain and 6 layers of 10 % diluted lacquer sprayed on to mimic the original finish of the cabinet. I sanded with 280 paper after the 3rd coat and then 300 paper after the 5th coat.

The finished cabinet is seen here with my Victor IV but it matches perfectly the owner’s Victor VI both in size and tone of the stain.

Bruce

It looks great...

Great job!

Is there a photo with the paint still on it?
That would really provide impact above and beyond what you've done.

James.

A worthy restoration carried out with the care it deserved! Nice work, Bruce!

George P.

Wow. That's beautiful workmanship.

It certainly does look wonderful.
I can't help but wonder though, would it not have been better finished in shellac, or has the owners machine also been restored with a lacquer finish?

Very nice work Bruce!

Looks terrific! Jerry B.

Thanks for the positive feedback

Sorry no photos of the cabinet when it was in it's 80's painted glory. Most of the paint was removed before I took over. But there was lots left in the corners and crevasses to make the job interesting.

Bruce