The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The rare Sonora Supreme cabinet that had been converted into a file cabinet sold today for $31,000
With a 30% buyers premium that puts it over $40,000 plus tax.
If someone on the forum bought it I would be very interested in where they would find the parts to restore it. It would require the horn, motor, carved wooden tone arm, and the winding meter. Would you not have to get these parts either from another Supreme, or a period model that would also be rather rare?
Really interested to know the buyers plans if they plan to restore it.

What would it sell for if it indeed had all of it's original components?

The motor could probably be found, but how would you find the correct motorboard for it to mount in the cabinet?

I watched the auction live and was shocked at the sale price. I have never seen a circassian walnut Supreme, so I expected to see a high price at the end, but not that high! As far as replacing the missing parts, I would think that an Invincible would have to be sacrificed. The Invincibles are not nearly as rare as the Supreme. I just hope that whoever bought it knows how to do it right. One person who does know is Roger Merenkov.

It is a magnificent piece of work, but not to my taste. I prefer the invincible, but even more, I prefer a Victrola XX or XVIII. There must have been at least two people with deep pockets and a great appreciation for exotic wood and ornate cabinetry. I hope that the restoration doesn’t require sacrificing a decent machine, but even more, I hope that it doesn’t become a bar.

$31k plus premium lol

If somebody has that much money to drop on a machine I'm sure they would have the money to hire somebody to "finish" the Sonora.

Whatever machine they strip to finish the Supreme, I would sure love to have the empty case they leave behind!