The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Does anyone have advice on how to ship a straight Edison Triumph horn. Its approzimately 24 at the bell and 35 inches long.

Looking for an affordable solution.

Thanks

Where is it located and where is it going? I'm available from the west coast to Union. Jerry

A company like UPS has requirements that the packing carton must be so many inches from any point of the item being shipped. If the requirements are ignored, UPS will not honor claims if the item is damaged. I imagine FedEx and other shippers have similar requirements. That's what makes shipping almost any morning glory horn difficult and especially difficult for a huge Triumph horn. If you follow UPS rules, the shipping carton would have to be the size of a small refrigerator and then you pay penalties for an oversized carton. Good luck, Jerry Blais

You may want to check out if there is a Craters and Freighters near you. I can't speak to the cost, and I am sure you will hear both good and bad as with any vendor that touches our treasures.

Another suggestion would be to contact a couple of local auction houses that utilize the live auction services to augment their house sales. These guys have to deal with getting things shipped for the remote winners and may have local servicers or agents they have experience with.

I've not actually shipped anything via Craters & Freighters but I have gotten quotations from them for shipments from the US to Australia & Europe. I've found them very prompt, cooperative, able to ship more things to more destinations than anyone else. I'm sure they would handle a Triumph horn for you but I'm guessing it would be at least a couple hundred dollars if not much more.

If you are lucky enough to find transportation through the collector network, it would almost always be a better option within the US.

I had Craters and Freighters ship a floor model Victor from California to Texas and it was 300 but that was prob. 5 yrs ago. If you ship to a business it is less expensive than if they bring it to your home.

How about Greyhound? I have discussed this option with another member of the board in the past. I think we found it was fairly inexpensive. The downfall is that it takes longer for delivery and the person receiving the horn would have to pick it up at the nearest Greyhound station.

I've shipped large items reasonably via Amtrak as well.

Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds somewhat complicated! I have some options to consider.

Amtrak or Greyhound Freight. You'd be hard-pressed to find cheaper methods.