A Windfall
Sometimes things just work out in my favour. It isn't very often that happens, but when it does it's really, really sweet.
Yesterday was one of those days. I have, over the last several months, begun to collect antique phonographs. This is an interesting hobby to partake in because the phonographs themselves are absolutely awesome, but they take up so much space. I'm on the verge of either kicking my boys out or buying a second house to dedicate to my past times.
That said, I have been scouring auctions for goodies, and yesterday came across a treasure trove. Behold, the Edison S19!
This is a sister machine to my Edison London Upright, except this cabinet is in much better physical shape and it has the volume control ball. Alas, it doesn't spin up to speed right now, so that will be a project to fix. I'm really looking forward to listening to this one. In their day (the 1910's and 1920's), the Edisons were known to have a superior sound to their Victrola counterparts.
The winning price for this Edison was $5. $5. That's it. Five dolla.
This portable Swanson was won for the massive price of $2.
A quick tune up was able to get the Swanson spinning and playing, which is nice, but there is more work to be done on it; the speed control has a habit of stopping the turntable completely, and it is really filthy. But... $2.00! I've wanted a portable for sometime. I feel victorious.
This is a model 60B cathedral radio from Philco from 1935. Obviously the front fabric needs to be replaced and it needs a good cleaning otherwise. The tubes look to be in good shape, but the wires for the plug look crappy, so I'm not about to plug it in.
This was also $5.
Okay, so these next two aren't antiques, but they're awesome and were $3.50. I'm not sure what I want to do with these, yet, but I know I wanted them. Maybe I'll just hang them on the wall for decoration. I do have some extra doll eyes that I might attach to them and have them move ala a Scooby-Doo doll face. That could be fun.
Auctions are fun. They really are. I have been enjoying real-time online auctions perhaps a little too much lately (but I was also able to grab some Christmas gifts, which is an absolute win). Online auctions where the clientele are not looking for what I am looking for are even better. That Edison should sell for $150 as it is right now, for instance. I'm beyond thrilled.
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
About Me
Amateur photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. Nerd.
General all around problem-solver and creative type.
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Well, being connected to the right markets is quite the advantage. It would go well with teleportation, I guess.
It was definitely a case of 'right place right time.' The biggest issue is these old phonographs take up so much space, and a few of them are in need of repair. Once they're repaired I ought to put them in a rotation.
Wow, those are some good deals! I'd love to see what they look like when you clean them up, that radio will look so cool!
If you ever decide to replace the wires, I have found in the past a place that sells fabric-covered wire online, so it would look more period, I think. I don't remember off the cuff who they were but I'd think a quick search could find them.