Jim, thank you for the compliment. My Masters Thesis on the Edison Models was finished when George Frow came out with the first 'guide.' I contacted George about putting the two together and the rest is ancient history. BUT, you did read my mind. My original intent was to arm collectors with as much correct information as possible so they wouldn't be taken. There were so many frankenphonos and no one could convince the sellers they were conglomerations of parts. Once the book was published it became easier for buyers to show the sellers what was original on Edison cylinder machines. In those times we had items being sold by phonograph repair and parts dealers such as "borosilicate" glass styli for Edisons, "better than the original." One wonders how many records were destroyed by them. The diameter was just plain wrong and they would pit or scratch then leave trails in the wax grooves forevermore. There was one crook, Jesse Jones was his name if memory serves. He would borrow parts to 'reproduce' them and the original owner could never locate him again. One poor soul lent him a complete Bettini outfit. Today we can reach many collectors at once with a cautionary tale. The neophytes are the ones I worry about on eBay. Once upon a time you could send them a warning note but with eBay cutting off that communication channel there is no enlightenment for them. The REPORT THIS ITEM action button seems not to be connected to anything. Kindest wishes to all, Al Who thought you could get enlightened by flipping the switch on the wall...
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