I'm surprised that most of the fabulous phonos at the Skinner auction didn't bring more. This Opera with Music Master horn only brought $3500. Assuming these phonos were in good condition, which you couldn't really tell from the skimpy photos that were provided, the prices seem surprisingly low:
http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/811-Edison-Opera-Phonograph-Type-SM-Model-A-No-981_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a552Q7c39Q3a1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3911Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem220266997472QQitemZ220266997472 Ditto the Vic VI with speartip horn, the Victrola XVIII, and the Edison Triumph E with 11 panel cygnet - the horn alone was worth the $950 price. That Columbia BC with huge horn was a steal at $1600. Assuming that 42 inch horn is correct and original, it's rare and unique to the BC having a large throat to connect to the large BC reproducer. The only thing that seemed to go high was the Class M, and that was said to be a cob job with a Triumph top and customized idler pulleys, yet it went for 22 grand. I guess the hard times have finally hit the hi end phono market. Apparently only the VERY RARE stuff is still commanding big bux. I guess when you've already got all the merely rare stuff, you've by definition got too much money, so you don't bat an eye when a super-rare piece crosses your path. "Jeeves, bring the checkbook 'round. I've just seen a trinket I don't yet have." Greg Bogantz
