I attended CAPS last weekend and wondered what others thought of the show and
banquet. Here's my thoughts... I thought the sale was well attended by sellers
which provided a very nice selection of machines ranging from entry level to
something for the advanced collector. I saw Berliners, Vic VI, Vic C, Rigid
Arm
MS, lesser Victors, Victor School Models, Edison Opera, Edison Concert, Edison
Triumphs, several Homes, Standards, Firesides & Gems, Columbia BII, Grand Piano
Graphonola (incomplete), and many other brands and models. There was a large
rear mount mahogany Zonophone with a matching mahogany Music Master horn priced
at $2200 and I don't think anyone seriously considered it. Buyers, including
the dealers, simply did not pull the trigger on many purchases. I saw a Victor
School machine with a "sold" sign and believe a Vic III with oak horn sold but
very few high end machines sold. I wasn't everywhere at once and I'm sure I
missed things but very little left the building. In my immediate area, I know
of a Standard and an Amberola 50 which were sold by dealers around me. I sold a
2-min Standard B with a reproduction 14" horn for $280 (1970's prices!) and a
very clean oak Victrola IX (with new springs and rebuild reproducer) for $300.
I
had an all original Vic 1 priced at $725 for the last half of the sale with no
serious lookers.
On the plus side, the banquet was great. Charlie Hummel, assisted by Mike
Khanchalian, talked about the discovery of the only known Multiplex Grand
cylinder and partial mechanism. The cylinder was inside its metal tube but
broken into several hundred pieces and mixed with broken pieces of other
concert
cylinders. Mike, the "Record Doctor", has been working on the cylinder for
months. We were able to listen to a recording of the first few inches of the
giant cylinder and it was nothing less than thrilling. Charlie talked about
collecting in general and he is always full of... well, Charlie is simply full
of it and the great stories of a long time collector. He even wore a tie!
Also on the plus side are the friendly people at CAPS. The club has made a
great
effort to welcome visiting dealers and buyers.
What did you think?????? Jerry Blais
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