McKinley Talking Machine Value

[Oldfordman1]

I bought this McKinley talking machine at an auction for $50 with a few records to go with it. I am not a talking maching collector, I didnt buy the lot for the machine just to make a little money reselling records and I took the machine home and realized how cool of apiece it is. I tried to find it on the internet, spent over an hour trying to do so and just found an old add claiming McKinley to be elite, top of the line, exclusive Columbia machine.

Thank you gor your help 

[CurtA]

Nice machine at a great price and great condition.  I know you will enjoy it, just know that its a slippery slope to becoming an OCD enthusiast...

[phonogfp]

Your McKinley phonograph falls into the category of what we collectors call "off brands" of the teens and early twenties.  Starting around 1914, as many basic patents held by Victor and Columbia were expiring, enterprising businessmen were starting their own talking machine firms.  Most of the time, this involved having cabinets made up by a local furniture company or cabinet maker and ordering generic motors, tone arms, and other hardware from one of the several large supply companies that sprang up at around the same time.  These small off brand firms proliferated like weeds in the economic boom of the 1916-1921 period, but most of them quickly succumbed to the recession of the early 1920s.  There's no way of knowing how many of these small operations existed during the period, but research conducted by R.J. Wakeman suggests there were at least 450, and probably many more that couldn't afford to advertise beyond local newspapers.  Mr. Wakeman's article on "off-brand" phonographs is on our website in the "Introductory" category:

http://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talking-machines-r-j-wakeman/

 

The good news for owners like you is that your McKinley is undoubtedly a rare brand.  In the article I referenced above, it does not appear - thus it is one of the many undocumented small brands of the era.
 

The bad news is that, among off brands, "rarity is common."  There are so many of these off brands - - many undocumented - - that finding an off brand is relatively easy.  (Of course, finding a particular off brand can be almost impossible!)  Among collectors, there is only marginal interest in off brands unless the machine has something distinctive to offer, such as an unusually ornate or unusually-designed cabinet, unique mechanics, or a strange feature (one off brand used a real conch shell for a horn!).  Your McKinley was clearly assembled for the McKinley Music Company of Chicago.  A music business having its "own" phonograph was a sign of prestige.  Your McKinley has a nice-looking cabinet, and a very nice golden oak finish.  
 

As you are a new owner, I would highly recommend you read through the Introductory articles on our website (http://www.antiquephono.org/category/introductory/), particularly "Basic Antique Phonograph Operational Tips" and "Collecting Antique Phonographs." 

 

Congratulations on acquiring a nice antique phonograph!

[BenL]

McKinley was a mail order sheet music publisher. This was an attempt to sell their own house brand through their catalogs.  

 

Based on advertising it's either a model 225 or 250, from about 1919-1921. Being oak makes it a little more collectable, but it's still seen as a generic off brand within the hobby. 

Edited May 23, 2022 by BenL