The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

No doubt about my best find. In April 2024 I purchased this 1922 Deccalian Wine Cooler Model at a local auction.
It is possibly a "one off" (show me another) and does not appear in any Deccalian catalogue that I have seen.

Any doubts I may have had about the price I paid were quickly dispelled by the discovery that it had once belonged to Sir Edward Lewis, who was Chairman of Decca from 1929 until his death in 1980. It then remained in the Lewis family, who are now happy to know that it has found a good home with me.

I was then asked to write an article about it for the CLPGS magazine, and it's picture duly appeared on the front cover.
Unbelievably, some people had previously tried to suggest that the machine was a fake .

Wow that’s an incredible machine!!!

My best find would have to be the Oak Amberola 1A I bought from the original family on marketplace. I’ve always wanted one and still can’t believe I own it! It was missing the grill when I bought it, but thankfully I was able to make a new one before I graduated from college. Wouldn’t have been possible without the fancy tools in the wood shop

It needs to be refinished.. but that will just have to wait until I have a shop

Cheers and happy new year!

David

It would have to be my Northome consolette clone. I didn't go buy a lot of phonographs in 2024. Now I did buy a 1948 Bendix 95M4U record changer with an AM/FM radio, but it is complex and requires specialists to get the changer alive again. It was a very early example of a Voice of Music changer with a 2-speed option for both standard and LP.records, but no 45 selector. I don't collect 45s anyway. It isn't shown here because it isn't a windup machine.

The intent with the Northome is to put an upgraded diaphragm on it.

I found this, an HMV 460 in oak, with the help of a forum member. I’d pretty much given up on finding one, one of the 3 remaining bucket list phonos for me, so it was pretty cool!

Found a Amberola 30 a columbia bi a victor humpback Finnished the aretino machine wich I got christmas 2023

My best find for 2024 was this "early" flatbed Zonophone Type A.
It had a broken spring, and the wrong horn reproducer and crank.
Luckily the spring had only torn thru on the very end which was an easy fix.
I dug thru my spare parts and found a correct original crank, reproducer and horn.
I think it turned out pretty good, and the best part is that it now plays like a champ!

Cheers, Bob S.

It was a successful year for 1890s machines

Nice two clip Standard, Andy!
Bob's Zonophone is killer as well.

No machines for me in 2024. It wasn't planned that way- it just happened. Hopefully I'll find some cool ones this year. My tastes- (whether I have any is debatable)- have been swinging towards unusual Euro machines the last few years. There are a couple Columbias I have my eye on though, so we'll see what 2025 brings.

I was very fortunate in 2024. I never thought I would have these two in the collection.

Nothing too extravagant, but a really nice example of a Branded Case Gem. Mentioned in a previous posting... viewtopic.php?t=58662&hilit=gem

It's one of my favorite finds for '24, since it actually sort of found me. I also picked up a very nice "2nd style", Columbia AJ, with the less common style corner posts. Also, a nice Victor V, from the last Stanton auction. It had a crumby horn, which I gave away while still at the auction, and replaced it with a nice horn I already owned.