Deccalian basket case.

[epigramophone]

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 2000a79432

This interesting restoration project is coming up for auction in Exeter. The sale includes other machines and many records, some of which are from the estate of a prominent CLPGS West of England Group member and a much missed friend of mine.
I don't remember the Deccalian being in his collection and have never seen it before. The soundbox, original motor and motor board appear to be missing, but someone clearly had plans to substitute the motor from a portable. To make matters worse, I think the legs have been shortened, and the undertray which I would expect to see has been removed.

[Steve]

There's an awful lot of Diamond Discs in that sale but fortunately a DD player included to play them on.

Why am I not surprised to see an auctioneer value an original Columbia horn machine under £100?

[epigramophone]

Most of the DD's and 78's will be dance bands, which were my friend's main record collecting interest.

[Dulcetto]

There's an awful lot of Diamond Discs in that sale but fortunately a DD player included to play them on.

Why am I not surprised to see an auctioneer value an original Columbia horn machine under £100?

Most of their estimates are rather on the low side -- having said that, look again at that Columbia horn machine and it looks to be that the horn isn't right for it. I would say that the Columbia horn elbow is the type with a screwed fitting , but the horn looks to be a normal type bayonet slot tin horn with part of its corresponding elbow probably cut down and modified to suit , possibly just pushed in tight to the Columbia elbow. Also of course the horn has been repainted . Most of those diamond discs will be dance bands as that's just about all that the former owner collected in Diamond Discs. At least 17 lots of them !! ( Christopher Proudfoot's wooden carriers in each lot not included ! !) Quite how the auction house can justify their buyer's premium of 31.2 percent ( 37.14 percent if bidding through online platform The Saleroom ) is in my opinion quite scandalous ! Dulcetto

[Dulcetto]

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 2000a79432

This interesting restoration project is coming up for auction in Exeter. The sale includes other machines and many records, some of which are from the estate of a prominent CLPGS West of England Group member and a much missed friend of mine.
I don't remember the Deccalian being in his collection and have never seen it before. The soundbox, original motor and motor board appear to be missing, but someone clearly had plans to substitute the motor from a portable. To make matters worse, I think the legs have been shortened, and the undertray which I would expect to see has been removed.

Would make a nice drinks cabinet ! Throw all those gramophone bits away , no-one needs them ! haha !

[Steve]

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 2000a79432

This interesting restoration project is coming up for auction in Exeter. The sale includes other machines and many records, some of which are from the estate of a prominent CLPGS West of England Group member and a much missed friend of mine.
I don't remember the Deccalian being in his collection and have never seen it before. The soundbox, original motor and motor board appear to be missing, but someone clearly had plans to substitute the motor from a portable. To make matters worse, I think the legs have been shortened, and the undertray which I would expect to see has been removed.

Would make a nice drinks cabinet ! Throw all those gramophone bits away , no-one need them ! haha !

Yes, as a project it's a bit of a dead duck in my opinion.

[Steve]

There's an awful lot of Diamond Discs in that sale but fortunately a DD player included to play them on.

Why am I not surprised to see an auctioneer value an original Columbia horn machine under £100?

Most of their estimates are rather on the low side -- having said that, look again at that Columbia horn machine and it looks to be that the horn isn't right for it. I would say the horn elbow is the type with a screwed fitting , but the horn looks to be a normal type bayonet slot tin horn with part of its corresponding elbow probably cut down and modified to suit , possibly just pushed in tight. Also of course the horn has been repainted . Most of those diamond discs will be dance bands as that's just about all that the former owner collected. At least 17 lots of Diamond discs !! Quite how the auction house can justify their buyer's premium of 31.2 percent ( 37.14 percent if bidding through online platform The Saleroom ) is in my opinion quite scandalous ! Dulcetto

Yes, I fully realise the Columbia is not in optimum condition but they expect £40-60 hammer price. Really? That's Crapophone money!

[Dulcetto]

There's an awful lot of Diamond Discs in that sale but fortunately a DD player included to play them on.

Why am I not surprised to see an auctioneer value an original Columbia horn machine under £100?

Most of their estimates are rather on the low side -- having said that, look again at that Columbia horn machine and it looks to be that the horn isn't right for it. I would say the horn elbow is the type with a screwed fitting , but the horn looks to be a normal type bayonet slot tin horn with part of its corresponding elbow probably cut down and modified to suit , possibly just pushed in tight. Also of course the horn has been repainted . Most of those diamond discs will be dance bands as that's just about all that the former owner collected. At least 17 lots of Diamond discs !! Quite how the auction house can justify their buyer's premium of 31.2 percent ( 37.14 percent if bidding through online platform The Saleroom ) is in my opinion quite scandalous ! Dulcetto

Yes, I fully realise the Columbia is not in optimum condition but they expect £40-60 hammer price. Really? That's Crapophone money!

Yes, on reflection , you're quite right . Even the base unit without the horn must be worth £100 or more . Dulcetto

[CarlosV]

Most of the DD's and 78's will be dance bands, which were my friend's main record collecting interest.

There is also a huge amount of blue amberols, I presume from the same owner, as they look to be mostly dance bands. A shortcoming in lot sales is that in most cases they have already been scrutinized by the family and friends of the deceased, and the most valuable or interesting records given away. The other drawback of buying lots is that, unless the buyer is a novice starting to collect, the rate of records that will interest the buyer is low. Having said that, if the auction were near me, or if the sellers would have means to ship them, I would try my luck on some of the lots. The enormous auctioneer's fees - including internet bid fee - are a deterrent, though.

[jamiegramo]

The Columbia is a low estimate yet the Amberola (A) 1 is estimated at £2000-£3000. Someone is doing intermittent homework.