1903 Victor MS Phonograph W/Original Spear Tip Wood Horn & Stunning
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4352110 |
While it may be convenient for us to believe that innovative product design began a dozen years ago with the launch of the iPhone, the practice of fusing form with function actually goes back a bit further than that. There were the Great Pyramids, of course. They were around before the iPhone. And the abacus. That was invented before Apple even went public. And the Papal Basilica of St. Peter. I don't think Michelangelo even knew Steve Jobs. So yes, the trend has legs, as they sa...y in the movie business. Which is why I get a bit giddy when I'm able to present a top shelf assortment of technical antiquity like I've got lined up for you this week. My only regret is that it may be a tough act for me to follow, but I'll worry about that next week. So check it all out. Seven splendid ancient examples of industry running headlong into art. And don't forget, you can click this link to quickly add and then save me to your favorite seller list and Ebay will automatically send you updates when I put similar new auctions online.
Here's a 100% original 1903 Victor MS (Monarch Special) phonograph with a matching original Victor spear tip wood horn.
I'll try to let the pictures speak for themselves, but as you can see, the condition of the phonograph is excellent throughout, including the cabinet finish, which is original and still smooth to the touch. Back-bracket enamel is original and clean, and the decorations on the back-bracket are original and detailed. Back-bracket mounting bolts are original with moderate but not excessive tarnish. Gingerbread cabinet trim is in excellent condition, as you can see, and none of it is missing. Motor and gearing are original to the phonograph, and the large brass barrel motor is clean and properly lubricated. Motor mounting plate is tightly secured to the motorboard, and there are no extra holes in the motorboard. If you remove the turntable, you'll see an age-related shrinkage crack that originates from the rear-most mounting screw, but this has no effect on the structural integrity of the cabinet, which is excellent.
All of the nickel-plating is original, including the plating on the crank. There's some surface oxidation on the turntable rim and tarnish on the small hardware, but by and large the plating is excellent, with a beautiful authentic patina.
The 22" diameter Victor spear tip oak is original, and it's gorgeous, as you can see, with a beautiful original finish, an original Nipper decal, and no veneer separation, no holes. The nickel plated collar is original and in good condition, with some scattered dings but no damage. The collar mounts securely in the horn elbow. The horn's interior layer of oak has an old repair that runs parallel to the grain, adjacent to one of the ribs (at approximately the 1 o'clock position). It's easy to overlook, even if you're searching for it, but if you enlarge the 8th photograph, you should be able to see its extent. Structurally, it has no bearing on the overall integrity of the horn, which is excellent.
The phonograph runs well, the reproducer sounds great, and the machine has no trouble making it through records without running out of steam or changing pitch.
Please review all the pictures and consider them an integral part of the description.
I'll include with the phonograph an early, acoustically recorded Victor 78 RPM record, and if you get tired of listening to it, there are plenty of other titles available on ebay and elsewhere. Hundreds of early them show up on ebay on a weekly basis, and they typically sell just a few dollars each. If you're not already familiar with how to operate an early disc phonograph, don't worry. I'll provide you with simple, easy to understand set-up instructions, so you'll be able to use it shortly after you unpack it.
I've been selling and shipping antiquephonographs, antique radios and antique scientific apparatus for morethan 25 years. When you purchase an antique phonograph from me, you'llreceive a phonograph that arrives safely because it's been carefullypacked (by me, not by some well-intentioned butnonetheless confounded, doe-eyed teenager working at the UPS store whowouldn't know a phonograph from a farm tool), and you'll receive aphonograph that includes thorough but easy-to-understand set-up andoperating instructions, so you won't be left scratching your head, trying to figure out how it works. Sure, you can probably get a lowerprice from Joe and Janet Barn-Find, but when your "bargain" arrivesbroken, and without any hint of how it works or how you might be able toput it back together, you'll realize that you really do get exactlywhat you pay for.That's about it. I will carefully prep everything for shipping and pack everything carefully and properly.
If you're bidding from overseas, please contact me in advance for a shipping quote. The phonograph is large and heavy, will need to be shipped in multiple packages, and it cannot be shipped to some countries. Therefore, I will need to confirm my ability to ship it to you before you place a bid. Auction participants with no prior feedback or with hidden feedback should contact me before placing a bid.
That's about it. Buyer prepays and includes shipping.
00824
Here's a 100% original 1903 Victor MS (Monarch Special) phonograph with a matching original Victor spear tip wood horn.
I'll try to let the pictures speak for themselves, but as you can see, the condition of the phonograph is excellent throughout, including the cabinet finish, which is original and still smooth to the touch. Back-bracket enamel is original and clean, and the decorations on the back-bracket are original and detailed. Back-bracket mounting bolts are original with moderate but not excessive tarnish. Gingerbread cabinet trim is in excellent condition, as you can see, and none of it is missing. Motor and gearing are original to the phonograph, and the large brass barrel motor is clean and properly lubricated. Motor mounting plate is tightly secured to the motorboard, and there are no extra holes in the motorboard. If you remove the turntable, you'll see an age-related shrinkage crack that originates from the rear-most mounting screw, but this has no effect on the structural integrity of the cabinet, which is excellent.
All of the nickel-plating is original, including the plating on the crank. There's some surface oxidation on the turntable rim and tarnish on the small hardware, but by and large the plating is excellent, with a beautiful authentic patina.
The 22" diameter Victor spear tip oak is original, and it's gorgeous, as you can see, with a beautiful original finish, an original Nipper decal, and no veneer separation, no holes. The nickel plated collar is original and in good condition, with some scattered dings but no damage. The collar mounts securely in the horn elbow. The horn's interior layer of oak has an old repair that runs parallel to the grain, adjacent to one of the ribs (at approximately the 1 o'clock position). It's easy to overlook, even if you're searching for it, but if you enlarge the 8th photograph, you should be able to see its extent. Structurally, it has no bearing on the overall integrity of the horn, which is excellent.
The phonograph runs well, the reproducer sounds great, and the machine has no trouble making it through records without running out of steam or changing pitch.
Please review all the pictures and consider them an integral part of the description.
I'll include with the phonograph an early, acoustically recorded Victor 78 RPM record, and if you get tired of listening to it, there are plenty of other titles available on ebay and elsewhere. Hundreds of early them show up on ebay on a weekly basis, and they typically sell just a few dollars each. If you're not already familiar with how to operate an early disc phonograph, don't worry. I'll provide you with simple, easy to understand set-up instructions, so you'll be able to use it shortly after you unpack it.
I've been selling and shipping antiquephonographs, antique radios and antique scientific apparatus for morethan 25 years. When you purchase an antique phonograph from me, you'llreceive a phonograph that arrives safely because it's been carefullypacked (by me, not by some well-intentioned butnonetheless confounded, doe-eyed teenager working at the UPS store whowouldn't know a phonograph from a farm tool), and you'll receive aphonograph that includes thorough but easy-to-understand set-up andoperating instructions, so you won't be left scratching your head, trying to figure out how it works. Sure, you can probably get a lowerprice from Joe and Janet Barn-Find, but when your "bargain" arrivesbroken, and without any hint of how it works or how you might be able toput it back together, you'll realize that you really do get exactlywhat you pay for.That's about it. I will carefully prep everything for shipping and pack everything carefully and properly.
If you're bidding from overseas, please contact me in advance for a shipping quote. The phonograph is large and heavy, will need to be shipped in multiple packages, and it cannot be shipped to some countries. Therefore, I will need to confirm my ability to ship it to you before you place a bid. Auction participants with no prior feedback or with hidden feedback should contact me before placing a bid.
That's about it. Buyer prepays and includes shipping.
00824
