The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Anyone ever been to an antique store where there's a phonograph, maybe a VV-IV or an Edison Gem, and the seller wants a sum for it that's double or triple what it's really worth? Or better/worse yet, when it involves a crapophone?


I remember an antique store in NC where the dealer was trying to pass off a crapophone (oddly, with a stamped BROWN horn, not bright yellow) as an original Victor from 1906 and was charging $350 for it. While it may be a good deal for an authentic one, it's 10x the price it's worth


I think the rise of crapophones, plus dilettantes who like to liquidate their recently deceased relative's estate, plus the rise of information about what's rare and what's not has really skyrocketed prices for authentic machines.

Come on, share your bad dealer stories!

I've seen several in San Francisco bay area antiques stores (read: junk shops) over the years. Most recently, was about four years ago in San Anselmo. It was the standard type with the maroon colored lacquer cabinet and "brass" colored horn. The tag said "Circa 1890 Victrola -- $700.00."

I remember I told the shop's owner, an older lady, that what she had for sale was actually a "reproduction gramophone" which normally sells for about $100.00 on ebay. (I was afraid if I referred to it as a "crap-o-phone" I would offend her.) She thanked me for the information and told me she'd check out the ebay listings.

The next time I went into the shop, about a year later, the crap-o-phone was still there and still priced at $700.00, but was now identified as a "Reproduction Gramophone." I didn't say a word.

Small world. My only recent antique shop story was also in San Anselmo, maybe the same co-op (Pavilion Antiques). They had a Columbia Type Q in rather rough condition, but at least it had a horn and reproducer. I was not able to find out the price because one of the employees was busy trying to sell it to a couple who were very interested. There were a few other people watching the demonstration so I was a distance away. I watched as the employee pulled out a Columbia wax cylinder, held it in her fingers, and proceeded to press it on the mandrel -- title-end first........ Of course it shattered into a thousand pieces. If I'd been a few feet closer I could have probably stopped her, but too late. A relatively inexpensive but still century-old record was destroyed by pure carelessness.

I walked away but I don't think the couple bought the machine.

Antique dealers market to people with money to spend. They could care less whether or not a machine has original parts, has been refinished, works, etc. If you're particular about the quality of what you want *or* if you want to buy a phonograph for a reasonable price, do not go to an antique shop.

There is always one born every minute, someone who knows nothing and is easily lead by the seller. It happens no matter what the hobby or collectable is.
I see a lot of items on ebay to do with my other hobbies that are deliberate mistakes in wording or due to the seller's ignorance on the subject. I guess it is buyer beware, but it does not hurt to try and educate where you can. I do it regularly on Ebay.
Peter

keywindgem wrote:There is always one born every minute, someone who knows nothing and is easily lead by the seller. It happens no matter what the hobby or collectable is.
I see a lot of items on ebay to do with my other hobbies that are deliberate mistakes in wording or due to the seller's ignorance on the subject. I guess it is buyer beware, but it does not hurt to try and educate where you can. I do it regularly on Ebay.
Peter

And on Craigslist!

Blimpy wrote:Anyone ever been to an antique store where there's a phonograph, maybe a VV-IV or an Edison Gem, and the seller wants a sum for it that's double or triple what it's really worth? Or better/worse yet, when it involves a crapophone?


I remember an antique store in NC where the dealer was trying to pass off a crapophone (oddly, with a stamped BROWN horn, not bright yellow) as an original Victor from 1906 and was charging $350 for it. While it may be a good deal for an authentic one, it's 10x the price it's worth


I think the rise of crapophones, plus dilettantes who like to liquidate their recently deceased relative's estate, plus the rise of information about what's rare and what's not has really skyrocketed prices for authentic machines.

Come on, share your bad dealer stories!

Is it any different than the guy on ebay that has been trying to sell his beat the hell up VV-50 for just under $2k for about 2 years now? We had a thread dedicated to him a while back...and his machine has been relisted....again:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-VICTOR-VICT ... 4aac0eb6a8

On the other hand, I found a nice VV-IV in a local antique store in Edmonds, Wa, for $45. It needed some cleaning up, a spring repair and one or two minor bits restored, but they had all the bits taped to it in a box. It now resides in my cabin here, with a good selection of Caruso and McCormack records, and a re-built reproducer. I took it in and played if for the shop owners, and they were thrilled.

Some shops are in business because they love old stuff.

Nat

It's such a pain to be a seller on eBay these days. He must be a masochist. Unbelievable.

beaumonde wrote:It's such a pain to be a seller on eBay these days. He must be a masochist. Unbelievable.

Most likely, he's an incurable optimist: he still hopes he'll find someone rich enough (and stupid enough) to meet his price........