What is wrong about this machine

[pappde]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280886498047?ss ... 9284wt_933
Why is this machine just sitting pretty there when this jut went:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 500wt_1167

[estott]

It still has three days to go- frequently the heavy bidding is at the end.

[David Spanovich]

It might be because of the woodworm holes --

Littletinyholesoncabinetohmy.JPG (63.94 KiB) Viewed 2312 times

I know of a number of collectors who would shy away from anything showing signs of woodworm infestation, unless it could be confirmed that the little buggers were dead and long gone.

Also, this had a pretty high opening bid, so there might be some activity toward the auction's close, as estot noted.

[estott]

The replated nickle might also be a factor- it seems to be a good job but there's a lot of contrast between the shiny and fresh looking metal surfaces and the aged cabinet.

[Steve]

You ask what is wrong about this machine and then sight a completely different machine as a comparison. That shows little knowledge and we all know how dangerous that is.

The machine on Ebay is a FRENCH Gramophone Company product, and probably an oddity as it is a TEAK cabinet and likely from the French colonies where it would have had to survive in harsh hot humid and damp environments. That's also why it has suffered with termite damage. You'll also note that it has been over-stained to resemble mahogany colour. This is because the teak colour and the gold transfers would have been destroyed by harsh sunlight over the years. I've never seen any machine of this period with such poor condition faded transfers. This machine has really lived in a harsh place I can tell you. Consequently the previous owner RESTORED the nickel plating where it would have peeled off. They also went a bit over-the-top with the electro-plating and even nickel plated the horn which might not have even been a zinc one (most were brass on these machines, occasionally tin or copper). So what you have here is an over-restored and partly 'tarted up' machine which has led a hard existence. It is also not a machine that most textbook collectors will have seen before with that wood choice and slightly odd matching of plating. It is historically interesting to probably me and half a dozen other European collectors but maybe not at this price? We'll see. I was offered it anyway!

The base you quote above is from a US made National Gramophone Co. product. It was in far better original condition than the colonial model AND it was more familiar to a greater market. It is more commonly available but proportionally more desirable to many more collectors who will complete it to the textbook examples they have at home for easy reference.

You see? They only appear similar at a quick glance. They're really like chalk and cheese!

HTH

Steve

[Steve]

Estott replied whilst I was typing so I didn't spot his earlier reference to the contrasts between the aged cabinet and the dazzling plating. I do completely agree with him. The difference is quite jarring. It would have been preferable for the previous owner to have left it in its unrestored state as a museum piece OR possibly even have the cabinet professionally restored to match the new look of the nickel plating. My vote would have been to leave it alone. It probably looked very poor and tired but it had a unique history that explained its state and set it apart from all the other Berliner era machines.

[pappde]

You ask what is wrong about this machine and then sight a completely different machine as a comparison. That shows little knowledge and we all know how dangerous that is.

Steve

Why is that you have to be so condescending?
Not everybody is as knowledgeable that YOU think you are!
Strange board this is.
You are the second one who patronized me on this board just because might not know this topic as well as some of you!

[gramophone78]

You ask what is wrong about this machine and then sight a completely different machine as a comparison. That shows little knowledge and we all know how dangerous that is.

Steve

Why is that you have to be so condescending?
Not everybody is as knowledgeable that YOU think you are!
Strange board this is.
You are the second one who patronized me on this board just because might not know this topic as well as some of you!

Steve, don't take it personal. I too am condescending..( or so I have been PM)... . BTW, I believe the French Berliner is mahogany and not teak.

[Steve]

I believe the French Berliner is mahogany and not teak

I'll bet you my entire collection you're wrong!

[gramophone78]

Well, it would not be the first time I was wrong. I am truly unaware of a "teak" Berliner. However, anything is possible. Of course the UK & French models are not my strong area.