Photos via mail

1col talking

An early poster realized $3,960.

2c ideal

The top lot of the auction was Edison’s Ideal cylinder phonograph that fetched $18,700.

2c  voice

A chromolithograph of “His Master’s Voice” brought $5,775.

1c regina

A Regina Hexaphone in mahogany sold for $14,300.

2c needles

A Victor needle dispenser went for $4,180.

1c opera

An Edison “Concert” Opera  mahogany cylinder phonograph took $12,100.

FOR 6-8

EDISON CYLINDER PHONOGRAPH TAKES $18,700 AT STANTON’S w/6 cuts

avv/gs set 5-31 #701754

CHARLOTTE, MICH. — On April 13–14, Stanton’s Auctioneers of Vermontville, Mich., conducted the liquidation of the Bob and Karyn Sitter collection of California, coupled with the dispersal of the first portion of the David Feintuch estate collection of Michigan at the Eaton County Fairgrounds.

Participation in this auction of antique phonographs, music boxes, advertising and Nipper dog-related memorabilia was spirited from buyers all across the United States, Canada, from abroad and South America, said auctioneer Steven E. Stanton.

The Sitters, who wrote the book Dusting Off a Little History, Spring Type Phonographs in the early 1980s, continued collecting and accumulating all types of interesting articles with a strong emphasis on Nipper, the Victor/RCA logo dog. The estate of David Feintuch contained a diversified accumulation of rare, scarce and common machines, parts and related articles.

The top lot of the auction was the Edison Ideal cylinder phonograph that was made by Edison for only two months before changing the model and name to “Idealia.” The machine, even though it did not have a horn, crank or crane, attained $18,700, going to a buyer from Michigan.

A very early Edison Home Banner “skeleton” model cylinder phonograph with a very low serial number of 330, proved to be a sought-after example bringing $12,100.

Berliners included a trademark example that sold for $4,620 and Canadian Berliner Type B disc phonograph that fetched $2,200.

Other highlights included an Edison “Concert” Opera mahogany cylinder phonograph, with mahogany cygnet horn, at $12,100 and a Regina Hexaphone, a six-play cylinder record coin-operated machine in mahogany cabinet, at $14,300.

Victor offerings were led by a Victor VI (marked “6”) disc phonograph with mahogany horn at $7,700, a Victor revolving counter needle dispenser with a Nipper finial on top at $4,180 and a Victor Jr disc phonograph with black horn and correct reproducer at $2,090. A Victor antique slant front counter display cabinet with Nipper circular logos on its ends went to $2,640 and a Victor IV mahogany disc phonograph with mahogany wooden horn, $3,080. A Victor XVI floor model phonograph in a scarce “American figured walnut” cabinet sold for $5,775.

Several Zon-o-phones were offered, including a D disc phonograph at $2,640; a Zon-o-phone Concert, $2,070; a Zon-o-phone Home, $1,815; a Zon-o-phone Concert Grand, $3,300; and a Zon-o-phone Parlor at $3,080.

A Columbia “AB” MacDonald cylinder phonograph, which plays both regular and 5-inch diameter cylinders, realized $2,750. Kalamazoo Duplex, a disc machine made in Kalamazoo, Mich., with two horns for amplifying the sound, sold for $6,600 to a Virginia buyer.

A number of Nipper papier mache dogs were sold, with the first of the 40-inch-tall offerings crossing the block on Friday. This example was on a platform base marked Victor and sold to an Indiana buyer for $2,090; other Nippers sold on Saturday brought $400 to $700 each.

An advertising standout was a chromolithograph of Nipper, “His Master’s Voice.” This large example in the original frame sold for $5,775 and went to Canada.

A rare sign on canvas, “Edison Pictures” at the Bijou, 80 inches tall, with a painting of Edison, sold for $3,750 and was headed towards a museum out of state.

Other highlights were a Mermod Freres 12-tune cylinder music box in an inlaid case with tune indicator that went to $2,750; an Edison Home with early string repeater at $2,750; and a Columbia Twentieth Century Grand, BCG cylinder phonograph with large brass bell horn, for $2,620.

One of the bargains of the day was the Edison 1-A cylinder phonograph in mahogany, selling for $2,475. Even though there were slight problems with the machine, it was still a sleeper at the price.

Besides the music machines, many unusual pieces were offered, including signs, posters, a Victor fire nozzle from the factory at $325, a Victor factory fire alarm box with an embossed Nipper that brought $1,760, advertising cards from early dealers, literature, record dusters, needle tins, children’s records, Vogue picture records and more.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.

Stanton’s Auctioneers is at 144 South Main Street. For information, 517-726-0181 or www.stantons-auctions.com.