The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi All, I have a question about the rarity of what I will call old "Open Works" disk record machines (see photo below).

I was watching this one to see how high the bids would go. It sold about 24 hours ago on eBay for a total of $706. I have never seen one of these machines in person and this is the only one I have seen be sold. I was under the impression that these early disc players were EXCEEDINGLY rare and valued at several thousand dollars when found. I'd be curious to know if this auction was a crazy good bargain or average priced. I ask because I would really love to own one of this type. If $700 was an average deal I might be able to save-up to get one.

The open works Standard Talking Machine in your photos may have the general appearance of some of the early disk machines but it's really just an inexpensive entry level machine offered several years after the first primitive disk machines. The machine in your photos is a "client" machine made by Columbia and sold as a Standard Talking Machine (Type AU ? ). They eliminated the cabinet and the motor does not have a spring barrel so the winding shaft turns backwards and the crank, if left attached, will fall off. The machine was cheap when it was introduced and essentially already obsolete. I do think the machine is very interesting and I have enjoyed owning the Columbia version with the normal size spindle. Jerry Blais

FWIW, I paid $300 for my AU around 1989 and sold it on ebay for less than $500 about 5 years ago. I suppose $700 isn't outrageous, but it isn't exactly a bargain either.

This Standard machine was called the "AA." I'd consider $700 pretty high for one of these.

George P.

I am a long time collector, and a recently joined member of this forum. Several of these machines (4) have sold on ebay within the last several months. 3 of them have sold for $700 to $800. The other one sold for over $1000. Although these machines are not that rare, they certainly seem to have maintained their value. I wish the same could be said of all of our phonographs

StL Bill wrote:I am a long time collector, and a recently joined member of this forum. Several of these machines (4) have sold on ebay within the last several months. 3 of them have sold for $700 to $800. The other one sold for over $1000. Although these machines are not that rare, they certainly seem to have maintained their value. I wish the same could be said of all of our phonographs

that doesn't sound right at all. do you by any chance have links to those completed sales?

Willikers!

These things are selling for as much as a GOOD front mount, something like the Victor E, a cute little machine with a 7" turntable, attractive oak case,
and excellent TWO-SPRING motor. These machines are selling for less than $1000. The big Columbia BH machines, with their fancy oak cabinets, strong
two-spring motors, and large horns are also selling for $1000 or less in the current market.

I personally sold the one that sold for over $1000. You can still see it listed on ebay if you do a search in completed auctions for Standard Talking Machine Open Works.I tracked the previous two machines so that I might know what to expect when I sold mine. They no longer show up under completed auctions because they sold longer than 15 days ago, but I do know that one was sold by Don Maxwell (phonodoll) a couple of months ago. I was surprised as anyone at what these were bringing.
Bill

Various open Standard models on Ebay.....


270857610396 - $1044.99
140629671283 - $1724.99
170701832036 - $790.00
300606845259 - $710.00

Thanks Steve, I had forgotten about the one that sold for over $1700. When I saw that, I was not sure if that auction was on the up-and-up. It seemed like an outrageous amount of money for that machine. But then again it only takes two people that both really want it.

Bill Feiner