The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just curious about this event and if there are deals to be had, or if things go for top dollar? I see a machine or two I would really like. Anyone from the North East heading over to bid in person?

I'm located in Michigan and seriously considered going, but don't think I can clear the blocks of time required. If you haven't already, look in their archives for photos/results from the previous auctions to get and idea of what particular machines might go for. In general, prices will be lower than what you would see on eBay and you get the bonus of being able to physically see the unit. Downside is the amount of time you might spend waiting for your unit to come up. Good luck if you go.

There were indeed deals to be had. I was there all day on Saturday, came home with 200 cylinders, 76 needle tins, a record cabinet, listening tubes, a Berliner record and a radio, all for $375 including premium. If I had room in the car, it may have been more.

The highlight Saturday was the Edison A-450 in Circassian walnut that went for $18,000. On the other hand, tons of outside horn Victors were going for under $1000, which kind of surprised me. A really nice Schoolhouse went for $1200.

Around 7:00pm, chaos struck and they started going out of order and people were bringing stuff up that they wanted to go next, at one point I think there may even have been 2 auctions going on in separate corners. Finally people were complaining and they started going in order again. I left around 8:30pm and there were still about 200-300 lots left.

Indeed there were bargains to be had but the expensive stuff was there too. I saw an Edison M (2&4 sapphire) reproducer for an Amberola 1-A go for around $2K, one mahogany Opera went for $5500 and the other for $4750. The Edison A-450 in Circassian walnut went for #19,500.00 and I think the Pooley VTLA went for $5500. I bought a very nice Home horn for $35.00 but my TTco black eleven panel horn with white roses inside cost me $225. Flower horn prices, even for repaints were right up there. However, I bought an Edison O reproducer on Friday for $180.00, so go figure.

Brandon is right, it was chaotic on Saturday, increasingly so as time went on. I left about 7:15 after the second Mahogany Opera sold, and there seemed to be still enough lots left for a whole auction.

Steve had so many things to sell in 2 and a half days that he probably could easily have made 2 auctions out of it. Catalog numbers went to 1258 plus 143 numbers on the addendum sheet, but I counted almost 2000 cataloged items plus there was a ton of uncataloged stuff in the back.

It was an exhausting 3 days but worth it. I would have liked to have more money to spend but the car needs new tires etc., etc.

Jim

I forgot to ask, does anyone know what time the auction ended Saturday night?

Jim

phonojim wrote:I forgot to ask, does anyone know what time the auction ended Saturday night?

Jim

Maybe it's still going

The auction ended at 9PM, as I was walking out I heard Steve say he was selling the last item for the day. No way was everything sold at that point. There had to be over 150 lots yet to go. I suspect we'll see those again in April 2012.

In all, it was the largest phono/music auction I have ever been to. Some very high quality items. It was sad however to see how low some of the prices were. (Not so sad if you were the bidder but disturbing to think of what you have at home and the prices you paid for it.) Disc music boxes under 15" were going for $300 - $750. There were some "junkers" among those but also many very nice little boxes. I think it was just a bit overwhelming and the market, (buyers at the auction), was saturated at some point. I certianly did my part and after that, had to watch some real bargains float on by.

Not to say it was a total washout. Some very strong prices were realised for some very high quality items. It's the "middle-of-the-road" stuff that suffered.

Regina Style 5 upright = $14,500
Vernis Martin Victor = $14,500
Mahogany full barrel record cabinet = $9200
2 Operas/Concerts, one mahogany the other oak = $5500 each
Salter "triple barrel" record cabinet = $4750
George Frow's Edison Cylinder Phonograph book = $210 (WHY???)
Mahogany Triumph w/wood cygnet = $4000 (mint, probably should have been more)
Graphophone Grand = $4400
Columbia BC in an early case = $7000
Morning Glory horn with deeply fluted panels = $700

Jerry, I don't know WHY???. I didn't see it sell. Maybe it was an early edition or just that someone (2 someones) REALLY WANTED IT!!! I do know that several of the books that I bought new in the latter half of the '90s have been out of print for several years and are in high demand but $210.00? Perhaps it had something to do with whoever owned it originally. I'd love it if my books bring a premium someday just because I happened to own them.

Jim

This Cremona Nickleodeon (without piano stool) went for $100.00! I'll bet a nickle that it was in operating condition. There was a new recut Christmas roll on the player, but it wasn't demonstrated and no-one tried it out as far as I know.
Bob

barnettrp21122 wrote:This Cremona Nickleodeon (without piano stool) went for $100.00!

Are you serious?? Next year I'm driving something bigger....