The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A "fanatic" in Holland made this in 1990, along with 10 others. It's selling for $2500 for those tinfoil lovers!

http://cgi.ebay.com/EDISON-TINFOIL-PHON ... 864wt_1165

Hmmmm, that's kind of cool but $2,500.00 ????
It's not THAT cool!

It's very attractive but I'd like it better if it were a real reproduction of an existing original. It's really just an interpretation based on the standard design of all tinfoils -- two upright supports, a shaft and mandrel, and a recorder/reproducer. It's not a copy of anything that existed back in the day, just a generic representation.

Edit to add: given the cost of making a quality replica, the price is not really out of line even if it is a fantasy design. Even reproduction tinfoils take a lot of work to make a good one, and those are never cheap.

I've been amazed at what I've seen those reproductions sell for over the past few years. although I don't really use that particular seller as a reasonable gauge for pricing in general... he does offer some pretty nice and unusual machines, but the prices, it's like that place, musicial treasures of miami, but of europe.

Guido's prices are high, but I will vouch for his integrity. He is a great guy to do business with.

I was strictly referring to the pricing, nothing else.

It's a beautiful faux-tinfoil example. I'd proudly display it my collection though the price does seem a little high.

I've dealt with Guido a number of times and his prices are rarely cheap. Personally he seems like a good guy and his shipping crates are works of art. I believe his pricing may reflect the US$ vs the Euro.

Rene - any idea who made this? Was it the same guy who made the Hardy of the same period?

I have no idea of the story behind this one; this is the first of its kind that I've seen. But it does appear nicely made and decorated.

I'm sure the pricing is affected by the hideous exchange rate; it has to be. The Euro is just about 50% more expensive relative to the dollar today than it was when it was introduced in 2002, and for some time thereafter. I bought a lot of phonographs in Europe -- including from Guido -- before the dollar tanked. Today I simply can't afford it. A 50% premium just for the exchange turns a fair price into a high one.

I hate to even think of what my original Hardy tinfoil would cost me at the current exchange!