Mar-Apr 2003

Repair expert Don Woodrow has seen his share of "crap-o-phones" as unsuspecting buyers bring in their new treasures to him for restoration. In a scene played out many times lately, unsuspecting buyers are being sold these fakes as originals by uninformed or unscrupulous dealers. Those better informed will recognize the poor quality casting and workmanship as on the machines illustrated. Don's informative article details what to look out for and what is currently making the rounds.

I had to hold back bidding on one of the better talking machines that I found recently. Built by Columbia and sold under the Dulcetto name, this machine was in remarkable condition but was a little out of my price range at $1,645. Without a doubt the most surprising phonograph I saw this past week was a Pathé double tone arm phonograph. There were 15 bids for this really strange machine that works on a principle pioneered by the duplex cylinder reproducer whereby the record is played from two positions close to each other producing an echo effect that gives the playback an auditorium like quality. The winning bidder paid $3,500. For cylinder lovers there was a rare Blue Amberol #473 with original lid, My South Pole Expedition, a narrative description by Lieutenant E.H. Shackleton of his near fatal Polar Expedition that made him world famous. As for Canadian content I saw something that one does not see too often, an original wooden box for a Berliner gramophone reproducer. In particularly good condition this one sold for $176.15 by a seller in Toronto. If you were looking for something to go in the box, the best I could find was an American Berliner reproducer which sold for $1,191.66.

Dear CAPS,

I found your site by asking Jeeves where The Compo Company Limited was, and found your site to be very thorough. I am writing to you to thank you for your site and information. All my childhood years, I heard of the Berliners from my great-aunt, but never knew who they were. Last night, in searching through a box of letters and photographs that belonged to my great-aunt, I found a very interesting letter.

The letter is on The Compo Company Limited letterhead. Herbert Berliner was writing to my Aunt Isabelle, thanking her for the care she provided his mother "during her final illness." Aunt Issy was a registered nurse that worked privately for families. I was very young when she finally retired, and like I said, heard the Berliner name frequently.

Your site, has been very helpful in putting some of the pieces together, it's good to see such quality on the Internet.

Thanks,
Judy Brinkmann