Years ago I purchased a Victrola that was autographed by Louisa Tetrazzini.
Next to the turntable, handwritten in white ink was "Souvenir from Louisa
Tetrazzini, April, 1923". Over the years I acquired other Tetrazzini items that
were signed with the same signature and I'm reasonably sure that the Victrola
autograph is genuine. But why did she sign the Victrola? I developed a
romantic
theory that she was in Portland, Oregon for a performance and instead of
staying
in one of the hotels, she stayed with a wealthy Portland family. As a courtesy
for their hospitality, she signed their Victrola. I really wanted to believe
my
theory, right up to the moment that I saw another Victrola with the same
inscription and same date! I had to face the fact that she must have signed
several Victrolas, probably at a Victrola sales promotion for a large dealer.
I
really wanted to believe that my Victrola XVI was the only "Tetrazzini"
Victrola. Then I saw a second and it was a XVII!
*
I know strange things happened but they were the exception. I've personally
seen a Vernis Martin Victrola with an upside down decal. I was dumbfounded!
With that said, I still think 99.99% (or more) of the big Amberolas left the
factory with matching numbers. Those numbers were there for a reason. When an
Edison was traded in, the number was recorded by the dealer. Stolen machines
were identified by the serial numbers. I would not expect a dealer to swap a
mechanism from one new machine to another but it was possible. Those machines
are a century old and the original owners a long gone. Even a machine that has
been in one family has gone through several family members and probably
repairs.
When those same machines started to be collectable I suspect first generation
collectors upgraded mechanisms and cabinets until they were pleased and gave no
thought to the serial numbers. I remember reading a modern collector statement
that he was against swapping any mechanism or cabinet. I immediately realized
that I had violated his ethical position by swapping out a very ordinary and
dull works for a nicer one in my mahogany Edison Standard B. Even though the
replacement mechanism was period correct, I had not even considered for one
moment what I was doing something wrong.
*
I recently bought a NOS 1968 Sting-Ray Run-A-Bout from a man that was a dealer
in the 60's and 70's. The bike was never sold until I bought it. I asked the
seller if he would write a note on his old letterhead with a brief history of
that bike. I was with my son, Tyler, and grandson, Wyatt. Tyler inquired why
I
asked for the note and I replied that "providence" of the bike was important.
Wyatt asked what that meant and I replied that the note would show the history
of the bike from the Schwinn factory to me.
*
If I were buying a big Amberola and questioned the seller why the numbers
didn't
match and his reply was "it's always been that way... my grandfather bought it
new...", that's really not providence. Too many things could have happened. I
may really really want to believe it but my better judgement says otherwise.
*
I'll stop now or I'll need to get a title for this book.
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