The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

$200+ for a record duster?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0315803312

It seems to be in very good condition, but I cannot imagine wanting to pay that much for it. However, it seems that to the right buyer, the demand is there at that price.

Do we have any members that collect record dusters?

— MordEth

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eBay Item #200315803312

Victrola Phonograph Record Duster Cleaner Brush

This is a nice vintage Phonograph Record Advertising Record - Cleaner - Duster- Brush manufactured by the Philadelphia Badge Co. for the famous, but now out of business, Strawbridge & Clothier Company. This particular vintage Celluloid Record Duster does not surface very often. These old record cleaners are disappearing in nice condition with out foxing, fading, splits, etc. Don't miss this opportunity to add this unique one to your collection.

This cleaner has bright colors (no fading), is in very nice condition with no splits, cracks, crazing or foxing to the top celluloid surface, just light scratches consistent with these old record dusters. The bottom underside felt cleaning surface is in excellent condition, looks perfect like it has not been used. No stains, no worn or missing material.

I don't know. Is this just another case of ebayers going berserk? There are entire phonographs you can get for less money!

I have one of those dusters, but mine has the Nipper/His Master's Voice logo. Also a Phila. Badge Co. product, it came down to me in the family. I use it often. BTW, the image on the Strawbridge duster shows Billy Penn (as we in PA affectionately refer to him) extending the hand of friendship to the Lenni Lenape ("Delaware") Indians, an event which occurred c. 1682/3 at a location called Shackamaxon, today commemorated at Penn Treaty Park, on the Delaware River in N.E. Phila., not far upstream from Camden NJ on the opposite bank.

Henry,

Thanks for pointing out that information—I really didn’t think to look more into the company selling the duster until your reply. Wikipedia has an interesting (albeit rather short) article on their history.

(Vintage postcard image borrowed from Wikipeidia.)

Somehow I imagine that 8th and Market Street in Philadelphia looks a bit different today.

— MordEth

Is that really a high price if it's a fairly rare duster?
Certain off-brand duster that turn up on ebay here will often come close to that price.
I should image the "Edison Re-creation" duster would fetch that sort of money too??

Yes, the old Strawbridge & Clothier building at 8th & Market does look different today. However, the facade of the old Lit Brothers department store building on the 700 block of Market Street was totally renovated, right down to the engraved sign that reads "Hats trimmed free of charge." You can see it on Google Maps.

I used to shop at Strawbridge's all the time and have not done much clothes shopping since they closed their doors. I still have my Strawbridge's shopping bags and well as my John Wanamaker bags.

There's been talk in recent weeks of putting a casino in the vacant Strawbridge's building.


Rocky

Rocky, you do need to go clothes shopping though - spats are okay at the victrola party but not on the bus to work!

gramophoneshane wrote:Is that really a high price if it's a fairly rare duster?
Certain off-brand duster that turn up on ebay here will often come close to that price.
I should image the "Edison Re-creation" duster would fetch that sort of money too??

Exactly right, Shane. Some actual accessories sell for way more than the machines themselves. When you think about it, far fewer of these nice little goodies survive than the machines themselves, plus they attract customers that buy things such as vinatge advertsing as well, so more buyers can be attracted to them. I like record dusters from stores local to me and have been lucky enough to get a few, but I'd have gladly paid more for them than I did, most came with machines I've picked up. Don't forget too, some people collect just accessories and not the machines. I just shelled out almost $100 for an HMV speed tester in it's original box to set with my 163, I've wanted one forever and figured I might as well spring for one, they're rare and really dress up a machine.

Sean

Sean- did you buy the HMV tester that was just on Ebay? I was looking at that myself. Those don't turn up often.