Without disturbing the patina???? Good Grief!!!
> [Original Message] > From: Don Durand <durand7...@cox.net> > To: Antique Phonograph List <phono-l@oldcrank.org> > Date: 10/22/2009 12:30:56 PM > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Never thought it would happen to me > > Go-Jo with pumice works very well and removes the dirt and grime without > disturbing the patina. You can find Go-Jo at most hardware and auto stores. > P.S., It is very inexpensive. > Good luck, > Don > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Tom Jordan" <tom...@msn.com> > To: "'Antique Phonograph List'" <phono-l@oldcrank.org> > Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 11:17 AM > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Never thought it would happen to me > > > >I Googled Go-Jo and found a company that makes a lot of products including > >a > > hand sanitizer. Can anyone tell me which Go-Jo product you are referring > > to > > and where it can be purchased? Does it removed the finish or just clean > > it? > > Thank you. > > Tom > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org] > > On > > Behalf Of Charlotte Mager > > Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 7:27 AM > > To: Antique Phonograph List > > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Never thought it would happen to me > > > > There is a fellow keeping a data base of Victors. You can ad yours by > > going > > to http://www.victor-victrola.com > > > > Charlotte aka Waves > > http://www.wavesllc.com > > > > On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 11:16 PM, Douglas Houston > > <cdh...@earthlink.net>wrote: > > > >> Of course, I'm not there to see it, but my first guess would be a buildup > >> of grime from all those years. The dining room set here was bought by my > >> mother in 1925. Our house in Detroit had been heated with coal, as were > >> many others in those days. On the chairs, on the top crossbar, the top > >> surface was black, and I assumed that it was the finish. For the first > > time > >> ever, I went over the dining set with Go-Jo, and the black "finish" on > >> the > >> top bar got gooey, and wiping it away, a nice walnut finish was exposed. > >> > >> At the time I bought my VV-XVIII, it needed a good going over to remove > >> grime, but wasn't as bad as some cabinets I've seen. I went further and > >> flowed the original shellac finish with alcohol. Except for some areas, > > the > >> finish is as new. > >> > >> I wonder if anyone is keeping a log of serial numbers on these > > phonographs. > >> I have the impression that all of the jobs came down the line, and were > >> consecutively numbered, with no special notation for such special > >> treatments as electric motor, circassian walnut, or other woods. One > >> interesting little detail: one of our phono collectors in this area has a > >> XVIII Electric drive. The cabinet has a cute decoratice cover over the > >> crank hole. Evidently, all cabinets were drilled for the crank. > >> > >> My XVIII has mahogany finish, and spring motor; a cheapie. The serial > >> number is 1277. The name plate on the motor board is the copper one. A > >> few > >> years ago, one was on eBay, with a serial number around 1309, and it had > > an > >> aluminum name plate. So, it appears that, somewhere between mine and the > >> one for auction, Victor changed name plates. > >> > >> At present, I'm getting my Victor Electrola 12-25 put together, checking > >> everything carefully before I put power to the amplifier. I did the Go-Jo > >> treatment to the cabinet. The finish on it is a mirror. I've never seen a > >> cabinet that old, in that perfect shape. I'm anxious to have it going. I > >> also have a 12-15 Electrola, and it's dynamite. > >> > >> > >> > [Original Message] > >> > From: Andrew Baron <a...@popyrus.com> > >> > To: Antique Phonograph List <phono-l@oldcrank.org> > >> > Date: 10/21/2009 10:04:42 AM > >> > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Never thought it would happen to me > >> > > >> > Thanks, Douglas. Needless to say, the novelty of seeing this visitor > >> > in my music room hasn't begun to lose its luster, and the XVIII will > >> > soon regain its. > >> > > >> > I thought of Go-Jo as well, at least as a first step. The black > >> > residue is dense here and there, but it must also be darkening the > >> > finish even where it doesn't appear to be built up to opaqueness. > >> > > >> > Andy > >> > > >> > > >> > On Oct 20, 2009, at 4:46 PM, Douglas Houston wrote: > >> > > >> > > I've had my VV-XVIII for about 25 years. It took a moment to > >> > > realize just > >> > > what I was looking at, but $120.00 was a reasonable price, > >> > > regardless of > >> > > condition. Everything was there, except the storage albums. One > >> > > spring was > >> > > broken at the outer end, and was quicly repaired. A going over with > >> > > Go-Jo > >> > > made it clean as new. I know just how you feel, Andy! > >> > > > >> > > > >> > >> [Original Message] > >> > >> From: Mobility Scooters <mobilityscoot...@xtra.co.nz> > >> > >> To: Antique Phonograph List <phono-l@oldcrank.org> > >> > >> Date: 10/21/2009 1:26:44 AM > >> > >> Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Never thought it would happen to me > >> > >> > >> > >> Andy > >> > >> Great story! > >> > >> Well done that is just fantastic and to think of how many people > >> > >> must of > >> > >> seen it before you did in the afternoon. > >> > >> I would say it was waiting for you. > >> > >> There will be no stopping you going shopping with your wife for the > >> > >> rest > >> > > of > >> > >> your life. ha ha > >> > >> All the very best > >> > >> Tony > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> > >> From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org > >> [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org > >> > >> ]On > >> > >> Behalf Of Ken and Brenda Brekke > >> > >> Sent: Tuesday, 20 October 2009 12:57 p.m. > >> > >> To: 'Antique Phonograph List' > >> > >> Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Never thought it would happen to me > >> > >> > >> > >> Congrats!!!! Any chance of posting pictures??? > >> > >> Ken B. > >> > >> > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> > >> From: phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org > >> [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org > >> > >> ] > >> > > On > >> > >> Behalf Of Andrew Baron > >> > >> Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 6:46 PM > >> > >> To: Antique Phonograph List > >> > >> Subject: [Phono-L] Never thought it would happen to me > >> > >> > >> > >> From time to time, I've derived vicarious pleasure from reading of > >> > >> some > >> > > of > >> > >> the phono-L members' coincidental discovery and acquisition of a > >> > >> particularly sought-after or scarce phonograph. > >> > >> > >> > >> In general, most of the membership are in areas that are either more > >> > >> populated, or nearer to denser metropolitan areas than here in > >> > >> Santa Fe, > >> > > NM. > >> > >> Roll back the calendar a few decades, and my region is pretty > >> > >> sparsely > >> > >> populated, with more ranching than any kind of manufacturing or > >> > >> other work > >> > >> that would draw a larger population. > >> > >> > >> > >> Fewer people = fewer manufactured goods, including phonographs. > >> > >> Add to > >> > > this > >> > >> the budget for a machine that most New Mexicans had (or prioritized > >> > >> for > >> > >> music) a century or so ago, and you have relatively few phonographs > >> > >> to > >> > > begin > >> > >> with, and most of those in the low-to-middle cost range. Edison > >> > > Standards, > >> > >> Victrola IV's, X's and XI's, and low- end Columbias are inevitably > >> > >> the > >> > >> models that turn up, and usually in none too good a condition if > >> > >> not out > >> > > of > >> > >> a collection. Naturally some desirable machines were brought here > >> > >> later > >> > > on, > >> > >> but by and large this hasn't amounted to anything significant, and > >> > >> there > >> > >> isn't much of a collecting community here. > >> > >> > >> > >> So opportunities to build a collection are rather limited. That > >> > >> being > >> > > said, > >> > >> I started collecting in 1974, when I was 12, and my Victor 8-30X, > >> > >> Edison > >> > >> maroon Gem, Edison early A-250 and a Zonophone Grand > >> > >> Opera were all acquired here in Santa Fe, current population 72,000. > >> > >> Not exactly a small town, but outside of Albuquerque, we are > >> > > geographically > >> > >> isolated from the big population centers. The Zonophone was > >> > >> brought here > >> > >> from New England in the '70s, when its past owner moved here. > >> > >> > >> > >> To the subject at hand: > >> > >> Two days ago, a big local consignment shop was having their annual > >> > >> Fall > >> > >> sale; everything 30% off. This event draws what seems like half of > >> > >> Santa > >> > >> Fe, and while my wife and I usually attend it, we generally wait > >> > >> until > >> > > late > >> > >> in the day to avoid the pressing crowds. Anyway, most of what the > >> > >> shop > >> > >> sells is vintage furniture, rugs, artwork, etc., some of it quite > >> > >> nice, > >> > > but > >> > >> rarely anything of particular interest to a phonograph collector, > >> > >> so no > >> > >> penalty for arriving when convenient. > >> > >> > >> > >> We had been browsing around for about a quarter of an hour when the > >> > >> proprietor let me know that there were "a couple of Victrolas" in > >> > >> the next > >> > >> room. We continued looking around in the part of the store where we > >> > >> currently were, and after about ten minutes more, I finally said > >> > >> that I'd > >> > >> like to take a look and see what the phonographs were. We headed > >> > >> casually > >> > >> across the distance, through the crowds of people and things toward > >> > >> the > >> > > next > >> > >> room. No sooner had I uttered the words "These machines are going > >> > >> to be > >> > >> examples of the most common models, and probably overpriced", than > >> > >> I could > >> > >> see the unmistakable silhouette of Victor XVII or XVIII, just > >> > >> sticking out > >> > >> beyond the wall separating the rooms. > >> > >> > >> > >> Quickening my pace (they were still 20 feet away), I prepared my > >> > >> mind to > >> > > see > >> > >> a Victor XVII, the alternative possibility being somewhat beyond my > >> > >> powers > >> > >> of imagination. Still, a Victor XVII would be a great find > >> > >> although I > >> > >> already own one (courtesy of a very kind tip from a thoughtful > >> > >> phono-L > >> > >> member, $200, and a 125 mile round-trip to Albuquerque). > >> > >> > >> > >> Coming up alongside the curvy machine, I noticed first that the top > >> > >> curl > >> > > of > >> > >> the rear corner post was mostly missing -- a clean break from > >> > >> bashing the > >> > >> machine into a wall or truck bed, no doubt. I also noticed the > >> > >> fine, > >> > >> expressive trim on the cabinet side and the chevron- shaped veneer > >> > >> pattern > >> > >> and practically leapt the last couple of feet so I could see the > >> > >> front of > >> > >> the machine, which left no doubt. > >> > >> > >> > >> There's something unbelievable about finding a top-end machine in > >> > >> New > >> > >> Mexico, and even though I have the XVII, and was already well aware > >> > >> of the > >> > >> differences, I had to see the VV-XVIII on the ID plate with my own > >> > >> eyes. > >> > >> The 3-digit serial number was also a strange thing to behold on a > >> > >> New > >> > > Mexico > >> > >> Victrola. This was a dirty, dusty machine, with some of its edges > >> > >> and > >> > > trim > >> > >> scraped up from careless handling, but at a glance, in generally > >> > >> good and > >> > >> very solid shape except for a few scrapes and that broken-off upper > >> > >> rear > >> > >> corner piece. Definitely not something out of someone's phonograph > >> > >> collection, and just as you like to find them > >> > >> -- clearly untouched for decades. > >> > >> > >> > >> A quick appraisal of what it had to offer revealed: > >> > >> Original gold V key; > >> > >> Gold needle cup, all original casters, all correct knobs, front and > >> > >> back; > >> > >> Large, gold crank escutcheon detached and screws missing, but still > >> > > sitting > >> > >> on the crank about a half-inch out from the side of the cabinet; > >> > >> Near > >> > >> perfect felt on the platter; Almost certainly the original gold > >> > >> Exhibition > >> > >> soundbox, Ser. #87347B, never rebuilt; Very, very dirty under the > >> > >> lid and > >> > > in > >> > >> general (what is this greasy, black stuff?); Most of the record > >> > >> storage > >> > > area > >> > >> filled with (non-Victor) matched albums full of classical records, > >> > >> and > >> > >> otherwise stuffed to the gills with sheet music; Missing the lower > >> > >> key > >> > >> escutcheon and motor lift knob (and that maddeningly absent corner > >> > >> curl). > >> > >> > >> > >> Price, $650, minus 30%. > >> > >> > >> > >> Sold! > >> > >> > >> > >> It's home now, and I'm having fun cleaning it up and getting more > >> > > intimately > >> > >> familiar with its exquisite details, and learning why this model is > >> > >> so > >> > >> prized. It's going to be quite nice, ultimately, with a respectable > >> > >> original finish, after a many hours of carefully applied elbow > >> > >> grease and > >> > >> the appropriate preparations. The fancy work and doors on the back > >> > >> with > >> > >> their gold-plated hardware, concealing a nice compartment came as a > >> > > complete > >> > >> surprise. You never see this view in the books. The motor is > >> > >> relatively > >> > >> clean (very little of the usual greasy build-up, just a yellowed > >> > >> film of > >> > > old > >> > >> hard residue). A couple drops of oil in all the pertinent places, > >> > >> and a > >> > >> light coat of fresh > >> > >> grease on the governor worm, and it runs very quietly and evenly. > >> > >> Even the speed indicator works. The main springs thud something > >> > >> awful > >> > > when > >> > >> winding down though, so I'll treat the motor to a proper tear- down > >> > >> and > >> > >> rebuild when I attend to those noisy springs. > >> > >> > >> > >> Comparing the total production of the spring-motor XVIII to the > >> > >> number of > >> > >> Victrolas produced puts it at something like 0.0004 of the total > >> > >> 1906 - 1929 production, and .0009 of the 1906-1920 production total > >> > >> (Roman > >> > >> numeral model-number era). This equates to less than one-tenth of > >> > >> one > >> > >> percent of the total production of the early Victrola era, and less > >> > >> than > >> > >> half of that when considering the total Victrola era, if I did my > >> > >> math > >> > >> right. > >> > >> > >> > >> Finally (for those who've had the patience to read this far), the > >> > >> gold- > >> > >> plated motor lift knob was found in the needle cup, and the broken- > >> > >> off > >> > >> upper-rear corner was found otherwise undamaged, in a recess of the > >> > > cabinet. > >> > >> It proved a seamless fit to the fracture surface. Anyone got a key > >> > >> escutcheon? > >> > >> > >> > >> I hope you've enjoyed this story, still fresh from the event and > >> > > accurately > >> > >> conveyed, and I wish similarly exciting phonograph discoveries for > >> > >> those > >> > > of > >> > >> you who have not yet had the pleasure. > >> > >> > >> > >> Kindest regards, > >> > >> Andy Baron > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> > >> Phono-L mailing list > >> > >> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> > >> Phono-L mailing list > >> > >> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> > >> Phono-L mailing list > >> > >> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > > >> > > _______________________________________________ > >> > > Phono-L mailing list > >> > > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > >> > > >> > _______________________________________________ > >> > Phono-L mailing list > >> > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Phono-L mailing list > >> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > >> > > > > > > > > -- > > NEW ADDRESS > > Showplace Antique Center > > 40 W. 25 St. # 216 & 107 > > NY NY 10010 > > t. 212-273-9616 > > NEW HOURS WED -SUN 11- 5 > > MON & TUES BY APPOINTMENT > > http://www.wavesllc.com > > _______________________________________________ > > Phono-L mailing list > > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Phono-L mailing list > > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
