All Activity

I rather doubt the spring replacement was 5 years ago, given that it had been gutted. I suspect the original owner had the springs replaced just a few years after buying it. I can't imagine why, but I really can't imagine a modern owner repairing it only to pull the motor out and put it in storage.

That is truly gorgeous cabinetry. Great find!

This AI generated slide-show is based upon two articles authored by Mark Mathosian on Casey Jones, March and June 2026, The Antique Phonograph. It is being posted here just as a matter of interest and as an example of the evolution of AI tools.

Ken I believe you are right. That sure looks like circaissian to me. You are really on a roll! I'm going to pull up a chair next to you at Schaumberg. Maybe some of that luck will rub off! Congratulations on two very nice finds!

Stunning wood graining. Great find, congratulations. Bruce

It beautiful!!!

You're swimming in Circassian! George P.

That's one beautiful cabinet! George P.

Well, Monday was the Circassian Walnut Sonora Elite and yesterday I brought this home. It is a Detmer-Phone in, I believe, Circassian Walnut. It was posted over two weeks ago and I began messaging about it. They finally got back to me yesterday morning. It wasn't far from where I drove to get the Sonora Elite on Monday. I confirmed with a phone call and headed out. I thought the glass knobs weren't correct but one other example in mahogany is on YouTube and has the same glass knobs. The wood grain is absolutely stunning. Four panel book matching veneer. It has several small veneer issues but is worth the effort to bring it back to life. I haven't been able to find any other information on this make or model phonograph. If you know of any original ads, please let me know.

I contacted someone on a Facebook post that was selling an empty Sonora Elite case in Circassian Walnut. It was about 2 1/2 hours away and thought I would go after it only after a confirming phone call about it. I was about a half hour into the trip and got a message showing they found the motor board with the tone arm, crank, turntable, etc... I then got a call from the seller and now they want more for it all. Still a bargain. When I got there, I noticed some veneer damage to the top but the rest was just very dirty. I paid her and loaded it all up. The case cleaned up very well. I left the damaged portion of the top as is for now until I can come up with a way to fix it. I showed pictures to another collector and his is only a few serial numbers away and also in Circassian Walnut. There is a pencil marking on the bottom of the motor board saying the "Output Springs Replaced 1-19-21. I have to assume that it was 2021? The motor runs very smooth and quiet.

Thanks Dan, Maybe I'll give Mark a call.

I belive the HG belonged to Mark Albertson. I don't think it sold.

Thanks for those additions! That brings our database up to 454 recorded survivors. Pretty remarkable.

If you are still updating, here are my 4. 3716 is Oak. Dan

Thanks for the pictures Dan, much appreciated. Looks like a great varied inventory of machines and related items. Someone would be hard pressed to not find something of interest at the show. Larry C

Thanks Dan, Looks like some interesting stuff there as usual! I suppose the Idelia was one of the highlights. Somewhere I saw a pic of a Columbia HG too. Anybody know who had that and whether it sold? Wish I could have been there!

I wouldn't think that the open holes would be a problem. The liquid should just drain out and dry up after plating is done.

It is indeed hollow, with only the mainshaft spanning its length through the center. George P.

Thanks Jerry, The company that is re-plating my mandrel is asking what, if anything, is inside of it. He was concerned about internal damage through the holes on the side with the longer shaft. Is there anything I should know about to pass on to him? Any advise would be very much appreciated. To me, it seems to be hollow with no mechanical parts. Thanks again Wayne

I recently acquired one of the Sykes Electrograph replica attachments being made by Martin Herrick of Herrick Pickups in the UK. These were manufactured in 1935 to play Edison Blue Amberol or Columbia Indestructible cylinder records. As did the original Sykes only suppled the upper part of the pickup. You have to sacrifice an Edison Diamond B Reproducer for the weight and stylus. In my case I went the extra and had a new diamond stylus installed by Wyatt Marcus. The original Sykes design was made for being used with a 1930s radio with a phono input. I tried the Herrick replica through the phono input of my 1933 RCA Victor "All Wave" Model 140 tombstone radio and it sounds quite good for a vintage sound with some treble-bass adjustment available. The replica by Herrick works also works on more modern audio equipment like a guitar amplifier on music amplifier. I acquired a small Fender guitar amp to try it out and it sounds quite good. With the amp you have some treble-mid- bass adjustments possible. I also tried using the Fender as a pre-amp and put the signal through the radio input of my 1928 Victor Electrola VE12-15E and it too sounds good for a vintage sound.

I am working on a list of titles and prices and organizing matching records and boxes and lids and details

A