The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Got rather excited when I saw an Edison C250 advertised at a quite favorable price in a town about 100 miles away. Talked to the seller by phone. Confirmed veneer intact and all that. He said it would not wind and that there was some alligatoring of the outside finish. I thought the former was likely a broken spring, I can deal with that, and the latter is not unexpected on a 90 year old machine.

Rented a truck and drove over. The inside looked quite good, but the “alligatoring” turned out to be every square inch of the exterior finish being bubbled up so that running your hand over it was like running your hand over a cheese grater. It had obviously been exposed to extremely high heat—I’m guessing a house fire—at some point in its life. Realizing that there was no hope at all of restoring the original finish and with visions of perhaps some charring when the remains of the shellac was stripped off, I said no and returned home—out the price of the truck rental.

I am still uncertain if that was the right decision, given the low price and the investment in the truck rental. I suppose things like this are to be expected, though, and will chalk it up to experience—taking some comfort in the fact that the 2 previous such forays resulted in good finds.

Clay

I think you made the right decision in passing on this, since the finish had such severe issues, along with mechanics that needed repair.
Sounds like you "need" a small truck or other vehicle of your own to haul your treasures. I've brought home several machines over the years, including a Victrola L-door and Edison C19 in my little VW Rabbit with its rear seat removed.
Happy hunting!
Bob

barnettrp21122 wrote:I think you made the right decision in passing on this, since the finish had such severe issues, along with mechanics that needed repair.
Sounds like you "need" a small truck or other vehicle of your own to haul your treasures. I've brought home several machines over the years, including a Victrola L-door and Edison C19 in my little VW Rabbit with its rear seat removed.
Happy hunting!
Bob

Humm, now there is an idea. I have a 2011 Sonata. I mangaged--just--to get a smaller Pathé 75 in it, but maybe, with the back seat removed-------

Clay

Clay:

They just don't make car trunks like they used to! I managed to bring home my C-19 in the trunk of a 1972 Dodge Duster. When I think about it now, I still can't believe that I did that! Today, you've got to love the Volvo wagon! I wouldn't be without one.

George F

Volvo wagons are great! I've borrowed my Dad's V-70 to haul machines in the past, then I ended up getting rid of my Lincoln for something more practical, a Subaru Outback wagon. This past October, I hauled home an Edison W-19 and a VV-XVIII home from New Jersey along with a few boxes of records, they were a tight fit, but we all made it home safely!

Sean

As I recall (it's been over 30 years ago), I managed to transport my prize XI in my '64 VW Beetle only by removing the passenger seat. Where there's a will....

I have an S-10 and blankets and plastic wrap which works out pretty well. I once spent 20 minutes in West Palm Beach and bought a Credenza and carried it back in an '84 Diesel Escort along with a set of handtrucks to carry it. Good mileage too, around 50 or so! Too bad it died and needs another engine

The '02 Ford Windstar is great; just have to take at least one seat out before you leave and you're ready for anything. Not too shabby at 23 mpg highway either. And with a trailer hitch the possibilities are endless.

Ortho: 20 minutes in West Palm can be a long time.

Jim

That's a shame, but as your subject says...

I've hauled a C-250 and two Amberola I-As in the back seat of my Toyota Avalon. One seller was dubious that the Amberola would fit back there on its side. Hopefully the rental was only for that day! Methinks you'll have better luck next time.

I have a Suzuki station wagon. It is a small car, but holds a lot. I can fit in a Victrola XVI. Also, I hauled a VV 4-40(Separately of course). It gets 37 mph on the highway and 31 mpg in town. It is a great little hauler.
Harvey Kravitz