Collectors!

[phonograph guy3435]

What is your weirdest story about unknown cylinders, finding things in the player, and oddest records? I don't have any very interesting but one of my blue amberols has 5 takes of the song.

[epigramophone]

When I was at primary school in the early 1950's (yes I am that old) the school had a Columbia portable which was used to accompany country dancing, including for competitions when it was taken to "away" fixtures with the dancers. I took great care not to be selected for the dancing, but managed to get myself put in charge of the gramophone.

Years later when my youngest brother was still at the school, I learned that the Columbia had been replaced by a 3-speed record player and was headed for the scrap heap. I rescued it and took it home. The motor did not run, and on removing the motor board I discovered why. A mouse had built a nest inside the it, and as I gradually removed the accumulation of hay and other detritus it whirred into action.

[phonograph guy3435]

wow, how long ago do you think the mice were there?

[MisterGramophone]

The weirdest thing I found was a random newspaper from 1925 inside of my Supertone.