I consider myself to be very fortunate to have
known quite a few first generation collectors.
(Translation: I'm getting older and yes, bald is
beautiful!) In the Pacific Northwest, Orville White,
Dona Lee, John Davis, Ira & Dottie Dueltgen and others
were some that I knew.
I purchased many wonderful machines from early
collectors and it was always interesting to note the
various parts and methods used to complete machines.
Cranks, reproducers, horn elbows were sometimes
homemade or at best, rough approximations of an
original part. Even a beautifully restored case could
be identified as refinished by an early and dreadful
"Edison" decal.
Once, I bought a Columbia AO from John Davis.
John was a dear friend and enthusiastic collector but
he suffered from glaucoma. One eye was bad and the
other was worse. I always considered myself quite
good at judging condition so I looked over the AO with
a critical eye and judged it to be original so I
bought it. I brought it home and placed it on my work
bench. A couple of days later, I dusted the machine
and picked it up to move it to its place of display.
When I picked up the cabinet, my inner arms came into
contact with the corner columns and the columns seemed
unusually cold to the touch. Upon further
examination, I determined that the corner columns were
made out of aluminum! First generation collector,
Orville White, could make anything by casting aluminum
and I knew without asking that my AO had once been
owned by Orville. I felt a little foolish but if you
ever come to see my collection, I can show you an
unusual Col AO with "rare" aluminum corner columns.
Isn't is wonderful that reproduction Victor
elbows are so exact that it is difficult to
distinguish the difference between original or
reproduction. The first reproduction elbows available
from a phonograph parts supplier were modified
plumbing pieces. Collectors were delighted to get the
next generation of aluminum ones! No kidding! Decals
provided by Greg Cline are so exact in color and
design that it's almost impossible to tell the
difference. Is a Kalamazoo Duplex with original
finish and decal worth less now that Greg can provide
a wonderful replacement? I don't know, but I do know
that I'm thankful for excellent replacement parts and
decals. Happy Collecting, Jerry Blais
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