The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Upcoming auction, they are located in Koln. Some interesting machines, including some that look familiar. Around 23% premium, so think twice before bidding!

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog ... ys/?page=1

I wonder what motivated someone to cut open the back of the case on the Columbia N? Display window to show the motor?

TinfoilPhono wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 12:00 pm I wonder what motivated someone to cut open the back of the case on the Columbia N? Display window to show the motor?

It looks very 'neat' and professionally done maybe.

It's easier to lubricate with the hole in back, unless it has a glass insert... but who knows why people do the things they do...

Looks like some very nice phonographs on the other side of the pond.

If one were to buy a phonograph from this auction, any ideas on how to ship it back to the US??

gstone wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:13 pm If one were to buy a phonograph from this auction, any ideas on how to ship it back to the US??

I'm sure the Breker people can answer that.

JerryVan wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:17 pm

gstone wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:13 pm If one were to buy a phonograph from this auction, any ideas on how to ship it back to the US??

I'm sure the Breker people can answer that.

I bought from them before, but had to drive to Koln to pick the gramophone. They don't ship nor pack. If you send them an email they may refer to a third party to do the job, but at the time - that was some five years ago - they simply told me I had to go pick it up in their warehouse, no shipping alternatives available.

gstone wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:13 pm If one were to buy a phonograph from this auction, any ideas on how to ship it back to the US??

I live in Munich. I can help for a fee.

I followed the auction on line yesterday. I even planned to bid on a couple of items but the prices were incredibly high for everything that sold. There were a couple of items that did not sell, I recall a large cabinet machine, but otherwise even trite lots like 50's East German record lots that cannot find takers even for free fetched surreal prices like 10 euro a piece. Machines that are relatively common like Monarchs that looked in so-so condition with wrong soundboxes and horns reached 1500-2000 euro levels. Same with generic brandless German machines that don't get more than 300 euros in good condition were sold for more than 1500 euros. Not to mention some obvious frankenphones that reached more than 1000 euros. Naturally there were the Comedian Harmonists records, sold in 25-record lots and reaching more than 1000 Euro each lot or 40 euro a piece - not really surprising, Comedian Harmonists records, although far from rare, became a fetish among German collectors. The general high prices reached (not to mention the 23% premium), however, make me wonder.