The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is pathetic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLExOnyOmyQ

"Sparky"

I think the ‘appraiser’ is attempting to be diplomatic about this. But unfortunately he is lying to the woman and the viewers.

To me the Antiques Roadshow jumped the shark many years ago. Nothing more than PBS version of American Pickers.

Unfortunately this drivel will heavily influence the average person. It’s easier to scroll your phone for tic-tok and Instagram pablum than do any real research.

This clip is of course from the American version of the Antiques Roadshow.
To the best of my knowledge, no Crapophone has ever appeared on the British Antiques Roadshow.

Late Crapophone period. Or Neo Garbage, Destroy it.

Poor woman.

Damfino59 wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 12:52 am I think the ‘appraiser’ is attempting to be diplomatic about this. But unfortunately he is lying to the woman and the viewers.

To me the Antiques Roadshow jumped the shark many years ago. Nothing more than PBS version of American Pickers.

Unfortunately this drivel will heavily influence the average person. It’s easier to scroll your phone for tic-tok and Instagram pablum than do any real research.

I agree. This will only help the spread of misinformation.

I'll be charitable, and say that the appraiser probably knew absolutely nothing whatsoever about antique gramophones, and did a hasty web search for the information he provided. I've seen some sites that indicate erroneously that the reproduction gramophones date back as far as the 1940s--I first began seeing them in the late 1980s. (Actually, there was an electrically amplified phonograph offered in the late 1950s that was modeled after an outside horn phonograph, but that was nothing like the typical crap-phone we're familiar with. Google Grafonola by Guild.)

As for the value he quoted, for both the fake Nipper and the fake gramophone, he either pulled that out of his hat, or he tracked a few auctions in which suckers bought crap-o-phones not knowing what they were getting. Either way, there's no excuse for this.

OrthoFan

I'm surprised that segment showed. That's not a good look for the Roadshow

At least he corrected the guest on Nipper

Well, I basically agree with everyone, but please bear with me as I play Devil’s Advocate here.

Think about it: antique phonograph collectors comprise an infinitesimal percentage of our society. Most people have absolutely no clue about them. A Roadshow segment such as this, at least gets to reach a number of people who have a general interest in antiques. Maybe some of them would be tweaked into doing a little research, or maybe saying “gee, Mable, we should get one of them for our house”.

And as for value, yes the “appraiser” was way off, but there is a lot of latitude (and attitude) out there. Unless you are a specialist in mechanical antiques, mistakes can be easily made. The big mistake here was the Roadshow allowing this guy to air without proper vetting.

A number of years ago, I showed my in-laws a beautiful, original Berliner ratchet-wind that was already sold for $15,000 and awaiting final payment. I asked them what they thought the value might be. They guessed about $200-$300.

Members of this forum tend to be knowledgeable collectors, and have every right to laugh, sneer or deride these events, but keep in mind that our numbers shrink, almost daily, and if we want to perpetuate the hobby, we have to be open to the possibilities of generating new interest.

And, by the way, my first gramophone was one of those cheap Indian knockoffs, and it led me, eventually, to a house full of the Real Deals.

These are just my thoughts, and not meant to be argumentative in any way. I am sitting in New Jersey at the moment, trying to get a flight outta here tomorrow ahead of the big storm heading this way. Am up here to visit my best friend, who also has antique phonographs, but he had a heart attack the day before my arrival, so my visit has been mostly at his hospital bedside. Age is catching up to all of us.

Raphael

Crapophones are JUNK!I wouldn't give two bits for them! Obviously,the guy knows absolutely NOTHING about machine! edisonplayer.

Raphael,

I agree with most of what you posted. Were it not for the fact that those evaluating the "antiques" on the Antiques Road Show are referred to as "Expert Appraisers," I'd agree completely. (Makes me wonder how accurate the appraisers are when evaluating objects I know nothing about!)

I used to watch the American version of the Antiques Road Show--which appears on my local PBS station--but gave up about five years ago when I noticed that jewelry, paintings and pottery--along with 1960s-1990s rock posters and memorabilia--had supplanted most of the antiques. The British version used to be shown on local public TV, but I haven't spotted it for several years now. (Actually, I haven't watched any TV for years.)

OrthoFan