[Phono-L] Union show/Young collectors

[Ken and Brenda Brekke]

I have to share a story about what happened at the Union show this year.
There have been some comments made recently about young collectors and this
story comes to mind.  This is the first year since going to the Union show
for over 27 years that I decided to set up with another collector to sell
our excess items.  There was a family that came to our table.  The two young
boys were about 6 and 8 years old.  They both knew quite a bit about
phonographs.  They commented about what models we had on our table in great
detail.  The parents said that both boys are very interested in old
phonographs and that they support them in their interests.   The older boy,
Benjamin, was commenting about the Talk-O-Phone on our table, again with
many details that can only be found by a lot of reading.  I was so impressed
with their knowledge and excitement about phonographs that I grabbed
something from our table to show them.  I asked Benjamin if he had ever seen
a set of Nipper salt and pepper shakers.  His eyes lit up when I showed him
a pair.  He went on to tell me all about Nipper.  After listening to him, I
said he and his brother could have them.  I thought Benjamin was going to
have a stroke right then and there.  His eyes got very wide open and the
expression on his face was priceless.  He held on to the Nippers like he had
gold.  He told me that he and his younger brother were going to put them in
a special place at home.  I found out that the two boys had a couple of
phonographs at home that they play and tinker with.  The parents also bought
them a paper organ later that day.  I mentioned to them that they should
consider going to Jasper's on Saturday night for a real treat for the boys.
They took my advice and when I met them at Jasper's you could tell that the
boys were in heaven.  

 

I do believe that our hobby is getting a little top heavy in age.  Anything
that we can do to encourage younger people to get interested would benefit
us all.  

 

As far as the Union show itself I have to say that it was, as always, great.
Not only is it great to meet fellow collectors and dealers but the rare
phonograph examples that are on display and/or for sale are amazing.  I was
able to pick up a lid for my Edison Spring Motor, a nice Rigid Arm Victor E,
and an original Nipper radiator ornament.  Also, Ron Sitko is there with
just about every reproduction part available to support us collectors.  Not
to mention the Smith's with their great parts also.  As I mentioned
previously, I set up this year to sell for the first time.  I was out on the
grass area.  I have to say that there were more outside vendors this year.
Usually there are only one or two outside booths.  This year there had to be
around 6 to 8 of us.  The inside was sold out as always.   The early buyer
traffic was very heavy on Friday.   There are a lot of items that trade
hands on Friday and never make it to a table.  If you have never been to a
Union show, I would highly recommend getting there next year.   I have found
that posting a "Union Wish List" prior to the show here on Phono-L works out
great.  There are several dealers that are members of this forum and will
let you know if they have what you are looking for.   

 

Ken Brekke