The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone

On a recent visit to the home of a lady who is a member of the church where I am organist, I was shocked to see (among many other fine antiques) three phonographs, all purchased by her late husband in the late 80s and meticulously cared for by him. She is looking to downsize and is considering parting with at least two of them, and while I could give a reasonable guess as to how much each machine could sell for I hopefully can by this posting defer to a more educated estimate.
Bob (her husband) kept extensive and detailed records for each of the machines he purchased as well as what work he did on them, from which I am providing a summary for each. A collection of pictures is below

1. Columbia Grafonola circa 1912-1916: Purchased in 1988 for $350. Cleaned finish with lemon oil, Briwax. Used Happich simichrome for metal, and Old English spray polish
As Bob only wrote "plays fine" (which I can 32 years later still confirm) in regards to the mechanics, I don't believe he did any major work to the motor/reproducer.

2. Edison Model D circa 1907-1908: Purchased in 1989 for $750. Plays 2min or 4min cylinders. Would at first slow down halfway thru cylinder and was sent to seller's technician for repair. Bob washed the case with Fantastic, used denatured alcohol to reamalgamate the "badly cracked and alligatored" finish. Lightly smoothed out with steel wool. Final spray polish with Old English. Had to repaint inside horn and the neck, "too rusty to save". Worked "very hard" to save original finish on outside of horn because of the Edison decals. Lastly he gold stripped the outer edge.
"Gets funny at times and needs oil, or an adjustment, but it looks swell and plays nicely"
I am unfamiliar with Edison machines and did not attempt to operate it.

3. Columbia BI Sterling Phonograph circa 1906-1910: Purchased December 1989 for $1650. Motor rebuilt by seller (Antique Phonograph Supply of Floral Park NY) Back bracket, turn table ring, and crank were all solid rust. Bob cleaned the finish with his combination of lemon oil, briwax, and old English. He spent "lots of time/effort" in sanding the back bracket and crank with emory cloth, course-fine steel wool and applying metal polish.
This machine plays wonderfully. First time I've ever heard an external horn phonograph in person. What an unbelievably clear and powerful sound!

Again thank you for whatever information you might be able to provide. Please feel free to PM me if you would like any more info, I have Bob's notes, original purchase receipts, as well as correspondence with the seller of the BI

And sorry for the incredibly long post!

Thanks again

Unfortunately those machines were purchased when prices were higher. I'd say they are worth about 85% of their purchase prices. Even at 85% the nice looking Grafonola will be a tough sell. I'd suggest you look back through the "Yankee Trader" section of this Forum and look for similar machines. Sellers generally mark things as "sold" and most leave the prices. You can also do a search on Ebay but always do an" advanced search" and click on "completed" or "sold" listings. That's the only way to get the selling price.

I am a long time collector and also purchased things at higher prices back in the eighties. When I sell some of those things they are sold at a loss. But I also take consolation and remember how much I've enjoyed ownership and music for many years. Hope this helps.

Jerry B.

The Edison Home D with cygnet horn should fetch around $900 to $1200 if you find the right buyer.

I sold a Columbia BI Sterling in excellent condition last January at the Orlando show for $850

Are you looking to buy them... or just help sell them? Jerry is correct about the current market...

The Columbia floor model machine will be harder to sell and will bring less than the original price paid - maybe $200...
$900-1200 for a Home D with cygnet horn is a bit too hopeful, especially with a horn repaint - $750-850 is more likely, maybe less (a good condition cygnet horn is $350-450) and a Home D might bring $300-400 if there is anyone out there in the collector community who wants one and doesn't have one.
$850 for a Columbia BI with a nice nickel horn is too low and should bring closer to the original price paid - just my opinion.

Curt A wrote:
$850 for a Columbia BI with a nice nickel horn is too low and should bring closer to the original price paid - just my opinion.

But, there's no nickel plating left, just polished steel & brass...

JerryVan wrote:

Curt A wrote:
$850 for a Columbia BI with a nice nickel horn is too low and should bring closer to the original price paid - just my opinion.

But, there's no nickel plating left, just polished steel & brass...

Isn't the horn original, with its nickel plating intact? If not, then the $1,650 originally paid, might be out of range. It still appears to be a nice machine...

Curt A wrote:

JerryVan wrote:

Curt A wrote:
$850 for a Columbia BI with a nice nickel horn is too low and should bring closer to the original price paid - just my opinion.

But, there's no nickel plating left, just polished steel & brass...

Isn't the horn original, with its nickel plating intact? If not, then the $1,650 originally paid, might be out of range. It still appears to be a nice machine...

Yes, the horn appears to be very nice. That doesn't help the loss of plating on the machine however. Yes, it's still a nice machine, no argument there. Just my take on it.

The 9 panel nickel plated horn is extremely hard to find loose, I can attest to that when I needed one... and expensive, since it works on several different Columbia machines. In my opinion it makes up for any defects on the machine itself... but, what do I know?

Curt A wrote:... but, what do I know?

Don't be too hard on yourself Curt. I'm sure you know a thing or two.

(I haven't had a hard time finding those horns, but have had a hard time finding really nice ones!)