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I have never seen a Mobley weight for an early Columbia reproducer. The seller tells a convincing story how he found it. Do you think it is original, a free creation for the collectors market or a reproduction?? The screw looks just too new.



http://cgi.ebay.com/Interesting-Mobley- ... 500wt_1413

I've seen these before on EBay - reproduction in my book.

I think it is original, but that's only an opinion. The screw does look awfully clean. That being said, everything Firebottles sells on eBay is clean. I have tracked his items for well over a year now and he consistently sells unbelievably clean, original phonographs and radios. His weekly average is around $8,000 and he usually sells less than 10 items that end every Sunday evening. The reason I think this is original is because I have noticed he is an honest seller making very clear that something is a reproduction if in fact it is. He is also careful to list any reproduction parts on the phonographs and radios he sells. I'm leaning towards this being original, but again, that's only an opinion.

The seller states that he's selling it as a replica, so I'm not sure why the issue was raised.

The seller also uses a phrase that sets my teeth on edge. He describes the reproducer he found as "minty". AAAARGH!! If an antique item is in practically unused condition, then its condition is "near mint". "Minty" means that it has a fresh, zingy flavor.

Here are a couple of pics of one installed on a Q reproducer that I know is original. These are really scarce, and I would not be surprised if copies were made of mine at some point.

My opinion is that the one on EBAY is a reproduction. The depth of the imprinted writing and the consistency of the nickel are both good indicators that it is not original.

Shawn

bbphonoguy wrote:The seller states that he's selling it as a replica, so I'm not sure why the issue was raised.

This is not a reproach at the seller who is perfectly honest, but the description of the circumstances of discovery: "I found this tucked inside a box with a minty Columbia Q reproducer [...]. The box was original (and almost like new), the reproducer was original (and almost like new)" combined with the seller's reputation (see SonnyPhono's post) and his own estimation of the Mobley weight: "although it sure looks real to me", allows room for speculation. Especially with such a seldom seen item.

Therefore, thank you Shawn for the information.

Starkton wrote:

bbphonoguy wrote:The seller states that he's selling it as a replica, so I'm not sure why the issue was raised.

This is not a reproach at the seller who is perfectly honest, but the description of the circumstances of discovery: "I found this tucked inside a box with a minty Columbia Q reproducer [...]. The box was original (and almost like new), the reproducer was original (and almost like new)" combined with the seller's reputation (see SonnyPhono's post) and his own estimation of the Mobley weight: "although it sure looks real to me", allows room for speculation. Especially with such a seldom seen item.

Therefore, thank you Shawn for the information.

I didn't mean to imply that the seller's honesty was in question. I meant that, since the seller states he's selling it as a replica, I would assume that it's not original. That's all.

Auction result for this small metal piece was $179 ! Quite a lot for a reproduction.