And one-of-a-kind or not, you know I envy you that Tetrazzini phonograph Jerry!
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of DeeDee Blais Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 9:01 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Phono-L] Human nature... 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. _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
