The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Has anyone been to an antique radio show? If so, I was wondering if there is phonographs and records at these events too. There is one coming up in Pittsburgh and I want to go if there will be "our" stuff for sale there, possibly. What are your guys experiences?

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/atq/d ... 45300.html

If you see any phono stuff there, it will probably be very basic, beginner stuff. Frankly, I doubt you'd see anything at all.

My experience is the reverse. I've been to many phono shows (primarily at Wayne), but I don't recall seeing more than a few radios total over the last several visits. Most of the time I don't even see one.

Should you go anyway? Why not. Even if you don't add to your collection, you can probably network a bit and maybe eventually someone might find something of interest.

The prospects are rather better in the UK : https://www.retrotechuk.com/

If you go, look in the display cases and parts boxes for parts and small items. You never know if a reproducer or some other phono related item may be in there....

travisgreyfox wrote: Sat Apr 02, 2022 11:44 am Has anyone been to an antique radio show? If so, I was wondering if there is phonographs and records at these events too. There is one coming up in Pittsburgh and I want to go if there will be "our" stuff for sale there, possibly. What are your guys experiences?

Remember the title is "radio show", but if you take a large radio show like Kutztown, PA which is this May, about 80% is radios or radio related items. The remaining
20% is a mixture of audio equipment, TV, phonograph, juke boxes, test equipment, tools, hardware and plain old junk.

I once found a Class M (it was 30 years ago) at a HAM radio meet for less than $100. Recently 6 excellent Columbia 6" cylinders cheap.
You never know what will turn up at a radio/phono/HAM/craft/whatever show.


Chuck

I have found some great items at other slightly related shows. I usually inquire about phonograph related items. Several times I get replies like "Oh, I didn't think of bringing those things" Or get referrals to other dealers that might have something. It never hurts to ask around.

The only time I went to an antique radio show was way back in 2003 when I was 9 years old. I recall seeing some phonograph stuff there like an Edison Standard Cylinder Phonograph and a couple of lower end portable Victors from the 1920s era.

I would suggest you go and look. You do not need to buy anything, but there may be someone who has a phonograph or someone who knows of one for sale.
Don

Vintage Radio shows can be very productive.

I used to go the the Illinois show that was held in August in Elgin IL. This was in the 1990’s.

Found such items like:

NOS Diamond Discs
Soundboxes & motors
Plus tubes for my Hi fi players & my two Atwater Kent’s.

The Wisconsin Radio club also has a show and I’ve been there before the lock downs. Seen some phonograph items.

Also if your looking for a vintage three speed turntable there’s usually like a Garrard, Dual around. One time I found some NOS Pickering stylus.

And it’s just fun getting out of the house.

Glenn

The radio people are often nice enough. In fact, one of them introduced me to phonographs, way back when.

I have enough common ground with them, having been a ham as a kid, and I enjoy the 20’s radio phonographs.

But here’s a little secret that has served me well over the years: they sometimes turn up phonographs in their radio hunting, but since the phonos aren’t their collecting focus, they get tired of them faster…

…and sell them to the likes of us.

Example:

My pal Steve, a radio dude, turned up a really nice and all-original oak Amberola A1 a few years ago. He showed me, I admired it, I told him it was special.

After 3-4 years it was “taking up space” at his house and he asked me if I knew whether any of my phono hobby buddies might want it. It’s now in our dining room. And the price was real right.

So: go to the radio swap and find your own Steve!