The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

We occasionally had threads about the packing and handling of our treasured phono items. Today I received a package here in Oregon that was sent by Zwebie in Oklahoma. The photos show the outstanding care given to this machine. It was packed so incredibly well that it took a good hour and a half to unpack. I am delighted with my new machine.

We've recently had a heated discussion about a machine that was poorly packed and damaged in transit. I would like to suggest that both the seller and the buyer have some responsibility in the packing. This is particularly true when dealing with a new or inexperienced seller. I think a responsible buyer needs to exchange suggestions about the care and packing of an item. The ultimate responsibility falls to the seller but we, as experienced collectors, can certainly make suggestions. Too many times we happily pay for cheap shipping and hope for the best and then complain about the results. This is more likely true with Ebay purchases. Personally, I'd be embarrassed to complain about a rare 78 mailed in a bubble envelope and destroyed.

Here are photos of a quality packed talking machine.

Jerry Blais

Beautiful machine and a very nice packing job! Double boxing is definitely the way to ship a phonograph. Was the reproducer placed inside the Edison Record box?

David

The first time a shipped a machine, my packaging job was not great, and I was very lucky that it arrived undamaged. I was very nervous for the week that it was in transit, and since then I have payed special attention to shipping. Wrapping the item in all directions, packing peanuts, wrapping moving pecies separately and shipping horns in sepereate boxes. Even a common machine such as an amberola 30 deserves great packaging, for both the historical preservation and for the buyer. I have yet to use double boxing, although that's something I should start doing. With everything properly secured and a large enough area of packing peanuts, everything has turned out perfectly fine.

For cylinders, I use a a foam sheet to wrap the cylinder, then I surround that with bubble wrap and put it into a cardboard shipping tube cut to size with the end caps installed. Then that goes into a box with packing peanuts.

It costs more time and money to deal with broken items than it does to ship an item well every time.

Martin

Was the reproducer placed inside the Edison Record box?

Yes, the reproducer was inside the cylinder box. First it was wrapped in cellophane followed by a small amount of bubble wrap followed by more cellophane. Then it was placed in the cylinder carton that had a little bubble wrap in the bottom. Another bit of bubble wrap followed the reproducer along with the cylinder lid. Finally the cylinder carton was wrapped tightly in cellophane. This incredible packing was done for each assembly of the Berliner. It was an exercise in patience to unpack this machine. (But well worth it! )

Jerry B.

It's great that the newest member of your collection arrived in perfect condition. It's a real credit to Zwebie's packing. Like many of us here, I have had some so-so experiences, but also some great ones. I bought an Edison Opera about 8 years ago, and I worked closely with the seller to ensure it was well packed, and like your Berliner, it was very well packed but time-consuming to unpack. Likewise I purchased a rigid arm Victor nearly 15 years ago, and the seller did a great job. It was double boxed with separate box for the horn. It never pays to skimp on packing.

Beautiful machine and excellent packing job. I have to say that Zwebie in Oklahoma packs all his items with the same care. I bought a cylinder from him that was packed with equal care.

I'd estimate that the time it came in the house to the end of cleanup was well over two hours. (worth every minute!)

Jerry

Jerry,
That really is a good packing job, which that beautiful machine deserves. About 15 years ago I sold an all brass North American cylinder horn to a fellow collector. I considered the best approach and decided to build a simple plywood box with padded interior portions to keep the horn centered in the box but cushioned. I then put it in a box with bubble wrap and the double boxed it again in the same way. It went 1200 miles unmolested. I was relieved it arrived safely. That guy sold a different horn to a collector 2500 miles away, and reused my wooden crated box system. All was well, and then about 2 years later I bought a horn from a complete different source. As I unboxed it I started laughing......there was my same plywood box I had made. I don't know how many miles it had logged, but it went from collector to collector at least 4-5 times. It all comes around and goes around. Doing it right always pays off. Congrats on that Berliner.

D.Edwards

UPS seems to be a punching bag here on the Forum. My Berliner was shipped through FedX insured with a signature required. According to tracking information it was scheduled to arrive on Wednesday the 8th. I made plans to be home the entire day on the 8th. But on Tuesday the 7th we drove to Portland and were gone from home for about six hours. When we returned about 3pm the Berliner was sitting in full view on our front porch. I called FedX's customer service and was told it was left at our door at 10:30 am and signed by DFD. I was told that they were suspending signatures because of the virus and "DFD" meant "delivered front door." So that $6000+ item sat at our door for over four hours. Thanks FedX.

Jerry B.

The mahogany Berliner has found its new home in my basement. Jerry