The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This record cabinet was in Ira Dueltgen's basement. Ira was my mentor collector and it was always a treat to visit Ira and Dottie's home. Ira and Dottie lived in Portland which was a major sea port as well as a port for ships traveling up and down the Columbia river. I remember Ira saying the record cabinet came from a stern wheel boat that traveled the Columbia and he even mentioned the name of the craft. The record cabinet went from Ira's to good friend and collector, John Davis. After he passed his children asked me to take the cabinet. I am embarrassed to say I don't remember the name of the boat where the cabinet was used. Has anyone seen a similar record cabinet? I suspect it was made by a cabinet maker for the boat. I would appreciate any comment about the cabinet as well as suggestions for researching the name of the boat where it was used.

Thanks, Jerry Blais

Jerry,

I spent many months in Portland in 1974 & 1975 when I was supervising shipyard overhauls of oil tankers for ARCO. I recall seeing a large steam-powered stern-wheeler still in active service, used for assisting ships docking and undocking. It was the last of it’s kind on the river and quite legendary. I think it was named “Willamette” but I could be wrong.

Raphael

I think it's a wine cabinet.

marcapra wrote:I think it's a wine cabinet.

It's clearly not deep enough for that.

I have seen this cabinet several times, both when Ira owned it and at Jerry's. Ira told me the same story about it. The measurements for cylinder storage are perfect. It's an unusual and outstanding cabinet. Thanks for posting the picture. Stan

Maybe piano rolls?

Why can't it just be for cylinder records, as originally stated? It certainly seems ideal for that purpose.

Maybe piano rolls?

Cylinders fit perfectly without wasted space. It's a cylinder cabinet that I suspect was made by a cabinet maker for the boat. Jerry B.

After 45 years, my memory was a bit off. The name of the stern-wheel boat I referred to is PORTLAND, and she was operated by Willamette Tug Co.

The history of the boat is told here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_(1947_tugboat)

To my knowledge, this was the only stern wheeler on the river.

Raphael

JerryVan wrote:Why can't it just be for cylinder records, as originally stated? It certainly seems ideal for that purpose.

Fear of the unknown lol.
It seems many collector's seem to think if they haven't seen it before then it can't be real.
There's no denying this was purpose built to house cylinders.
Wine bottles, piano rolls and even tinned fruit are completely different sizes to a cylinder record, and nothing else I can think of would require a recess in the wood for the lid.
There's no doubt in my mind this cabinet housed records and nothing else from the day it was built.

Congratulations Jerry. You're extremely lucky to have added such a unique and useful piece to your collection.
And best of luck retracing the cabinets history.
This really emphasizes the fact that we all should take 60 seconds to write any information we know about each item in our collections.
A simple piece of paper can be invaluable to future buyers and sellers alike, and can save someone a lot of detective work, and details being lot in history.