Group:
I just have to say something about the California Antique Phonograph
Society Journal. The latest issue arrived here yesterday, and, as usual, it's
terrific. Editor Rene Rondeau does a superb job of compiling articles and
photos into a Jounal of substance. Rene won't toot the Journal's horn, but -
with 5 issues now out there - I must share this with you all.
There are beautiful photographs and SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION! If you
haven't subscribed to this Journal, you're really missing something. For
example, in the current issue, Robert Baumbach's column reveals an Orthophonic
Victrola "recall" of 1928. It turns out that many new Orthophonics were
causing
premature record wear, and in 1928, Victor offered modified Sound Box Crooks
(sometimes called a U-tube) to realign the sound boxes. Has YOUR Orthophonic
been "fixed?" Bob's article includes the original Service Notes so you can
take
measurements and find out. I checked my two, and learned that a nice Credenza
is waiting to eat my records! I suspect that this problem is widespread -
and largely undetected.
Other articles include Allen Koenigsberg's illustrated discussion of
the first coin-operated Berliner Gramophone, a good writeup on Al Jolson and
Irving Kaufman by Charles Marowitz, a nicely illustrated discussion by Scott
Malawski of a Thomas Macdonald patent - and the prototype model from the
Columbia
archives, an early Edison "Standard" coin-op that pre-dates the "Excelsior,"
an illustrated history and appreciation of the Columbia "Eagle" by George
somebody, and a nice tribute to Dave Heitz with photos of his magnificant
collection. As far as I'm concerned, the Orthophonic "recall" article is worth
the
price of annual subscription ($22) in the records it will save!
I can't say enough about this new Journal. For my money, it's the
finest publication in our hobby. Contributing writers include Lynn Andersen,
Julien Anton, Robert Baumbach (regular column), Lynn Bilton, Tim Fabrizio,
Robert
Feinstein, Larry Karp, Allen Koenigsberg (regular contributor), Scott
Malawski, Charles Marowitz, George Paul (regular column), Ray Phillips, Stephan
Puille, Eric Reiss, and Mike Tucker. Rene Rondeau also writes when his editing
duties allow. The latest issue has 39 illustrations - some in full color.
To subscribe and become a member of the California Antique Phonograph
Society (and I highly recommend it!), send your name, address, phone
number(s), email/website and $22 ($32 outside North America) to CAPS, PO Box
169,
Victorville, CA 92393. Rene can be consulted about this at
[email protected].
Sorry for the long post, but this is something genuinely beneficial to our
hobby.
Cheers -
George Paul
