Ron said it very well. I would favor a mint machine over a restored one but I
would not discriminate over a restored machine as that is the only way most
people can own a mint looking machine. I would also love to have a 1795 silver
dollar in uncirculated condition, but I had to settle for one with a hole that
was filled in that was in average condition.
I recently got a gold Exhibition in the deluxe hinged box, the mildew smell was
horrible. I sprayed the inside with Lysol and I will have to treat it once
more to get rid of the smell. Some people would likely be upset I got rid of
the original mildew, but if you cannot enjoy what you have why collect? I
cringe when someone cleans $20,000 of the value of an Idelia by polishing the
copper oxidation off, but some people cringe when you restore an all brass horn
to original look.
Most people would prefer mint machines, but the reality is if you want to enjoy
a machine that looks perfect it will most likely be restored. The only two
machines that I have that are excellent is my VV-IV and my VV-VI that came in
an aftermarked console which protected it.
My Triumph E is one I had restored. Someone varnished over the whole thing and
ruined the case, made the pin striping run, and the machine was in excellent
shape until someone ruined it.
I had the bedplate refinished, now it looks better than new. I enjoy the
machine because it looks so nice, when I want to play records I go to my crappy
looking A in a B case Triumph. I have seen people with machines that look new,
unfortunately there are not enought to go around.
One year a radio collector brought a Triumph A with a wooden horn and an iron
and brass O to show it to people. The finish was so alligatored it acutally
felt like the reptile when you touched it. The O was rusty and when I told the
guy it would restore nicely he was horrified and told me he did not buy it to
listen to or restore, he liked to keep things just as he found them.
Steve
> I agree with Steve. It depends on condition and the machine itself. It can
> be subjective and dependent on the collector or individual as well. Do you
> want a common but pristine original Vic -IV, for example, or would you rather
> have a refurbished and refinished Edison Opera brought back to showroom
> beauty? Also rarity might be a consideration. Would someone wait for a near
> original Edison Idealia or take one that was redone? It depends...cost,
> rarity, the collector themselves are only a few of the considerations.
> I think most of us would take the rarest machine in the most original
> condition at the lowest cost (speaking in general terms). Cost, especially
> in todays economy may be a key determiner in the utlimate decision made.
>
> Ron
>
>
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