SOLD: 1903 Talk O Phone SOUSA $2295 Shipped
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 1:36 am
Here's a quite well preserved ORIGINAL (except for reproducer gaskets and motor lube) front mount Talk- O- Phone SOUSA- their top- of- the- line machine. This machine appears very original and complete, (unlike the current eBay offering of the Sousa, which lacks many details pointed out below).
The correct, albeit age- worn- gold highlights are all present on the reproducer, crank, on/off/speed control, reproducer securing bolt, crank escutcheon, and traveling arm pivot. While aged, all present quite nicely. The cabinet with all its carvings is magnificent, as is what appears to be the ORIGINAL finish. In some very enlarged photos, minor alligatoring is present, but it's not at all visible to the naked eye.
The works got my usual rigorous service. I rebuilt the reproducer with Wyatt Marcus' incredible white SILICONE gasket material- it fills the room with a soft tone needle and sounds as good as a 120 year old soundbox is capable of sounding. The spring motor was disassembled cleaned and greased/ oiled. It runs very strong and steady. On these machines, the speed control also turns the motor off. I set it up to where "full throttle" is about 82 RPM. The side noise is quite minimal for one of these early machines.
The YUGE brass horn is quite impressive. Yes, there are some age spots here... minor bumps and creases only. It should be noted that someone in the past drilled a TINY hole right inside the outer rolled edge on the bell. Who knows why. It won't show up in photos.
When I purchased this machine, I had NO idea how big it actually is. While the case is a very manageable 14" square at the base, the traveling arm is a massive 18" long, and the brass horn measures out at 28" in length and 18" at the bell. Yowzah!
Those of you who know me know I like my machines perfect, and I am a constant irritant to the "it's only original once" crowd (as if rust, hardened grease, flaking paint, deteriorated finishes, peeling veneer, and peeling gold or nickel are original
) but I have been perfectly happy displaying this as- is, despite the "flaws" I outlined above.
I am offering this rare early machine for $2295.00 INCLUDING careful boxing and shipping in COTUS. I can also discount the price by $250 if you pick up, or if you want to use the JerryB Express to Union or APS next year. Yes, I will gladly hold for you with full payment for up to a year if you'd rather arrange your own transport.
A final note- if you'd like the cabinet it is sitting on, it's available for the price of shipping only, or FREE with purchase if you pick up or arrange your own transport.
Finally- YES, I am willing to ship worldwide at extra cost. I use PIRATE SHIP, which offers deeply discounted rates on shipping- both international and domestic.
Payment by bank transfer, your good personal check, or PayPal "Friends and family" ONLY please. Yes, I'm willing to entertain offers.
This machine is SOLD- Thanks!
The correct, albeit age- worn- gold highlights are all present on the reproducer, crank, on/off/speed control, reproducer securing bolt, crank escutcheon, and traveling arm pivot. While aged, all present quite nicely. The cabinet with all its carvings is magnificent, as is what appears to be the ORIGINAL finish. In some very enlarged photos, minor alligatoring is present, but it's not at all visible to the naked eye.
The works got my usual rigorous service. I rebuilt the reproducer with Wyatt Marcus' incredible white SILICONE gasket material- it fills the room with a soft tone needle and sounds as good as a 120 year old soundbox is capable of sounding. The spring motor was disassembled cleaned and greased/ oiled. It runs very strong and steady. On these machines, the speed control also turns the motor off. I set it up to where "full throttle" is about 82 RPM. The side noise is quite minimal for one of these early machines.
The YUGE brass horn is quite impressive. Yes, there are some age spots here... minor bumps and creases only. It should be noted that someone in the past drilled a TINY hole right inside the outer rolled edge on the bell. Who knows why. It won't show up in photos.
When I purchased this machine, I had NO idea how big it actually is. While the case is a very manageable 14" square at the base, the traveling arm is a massive 18" long, and the brass horn measures out at 28" in length and 18" at the bell. Yowzah!
Those of you who know me know I like my machines perfect, and I am a constant irritant to the "it's only original once" crowd (as if rust, hardened grease, flaking paint, deteriorated finishes, peeling veneer, and peeling gold or nickel are original
) but I have been perfectly happy displaying this as- is, despite the "flaws" I outlined above.I am offering this rare early machine for $2295.00 INCLUDING careful boxing and shipping in COTUS. I can also discount the price by $250 if you pick up, or if you want to use the JerryB Express to Union or APS next year. Yes, I will gladly hold for you with full payment for up to a year if you'd rather arrange your own transport.
A final note- if you'd like the cabinet it is sitting on, it's available for the price of shipping only, or FREE with purchase if you pick up or arrange your own transport.
Finally- YES, I am willing to ship worldwide at extra cost. I use PIRATE SHIP, which offers deeply discounted rates on shipping- both international and domestic.
Payment by bank transfer, your good personal check, or PayPal "Friends and family" ONLY please. Yes, I'm willing to entertain offers.
This machine is SOLD- Thanks!