Great-Grandfathers collection of 192 cylinder records.

[2ready]

Hi phonograph enthusiasts,

A while ago my parents and I came across our Great-Grandfather's collection of 192 cylinder records. We have already sold the phonograph model D, but now I am unsure as to how we would go about selling the entire 192 collection of records (bear in mind that I don't know a whole lot about these things). My Great-Grandfather collected these records in the years around 1905. Today I have spent 6 hours categorising them into different sections of: singers, brands and conditions.

The condition of around 15 records are very damaged, but the majority of records are dusty, with minimal scratching and there are maybe 40 that are in near perfect condition. There are also 10 empty record boxes.

Here is a list of the names within the large collection (close to, but not exact figures):

Artists:

15 x Harry Lauder

5 x Ada Jones

5 x Billy Murray

5 x various comic songs

5 x NYC Military band

4 x Manuel Romain

4 x Steve Porter

3 x National Military band

3 x Billy Williams

3 x Alexander Prince

3 x Elizabeth Spencer

2 x Harlan + Stanley

2 x Grand concert band

2 x Hughes Macklin

2 x Golden + Hughes

2 x Harry Macdonough

1 x Florie Forde

1 x Haydn

These are only 67 records that I have been able to pair with their corresponding artists so far. But expect the rest of the records to be similar to the artists listed here.

Record companies:

75 x Edison Amberol records

45 x Edison Gold Mould Records

25 x Edison Blue Amberol Records

20 x Edison Standard records

10 x various empty Edison record boxes

7 x White records

3 x Columbia records (only one columbia record box)

3 x Edison Blue Amberol records (outside is orange coloured)

1 x Sterling record

1 x Indestructible record

1 x Pathe record (with an extra 3 Pathe record boxes)

1 x (Clarion record box) with Edison inside

How should I go about selling the collection?

Sell the whole collection for a lump sum?

Organise and sell the records in smaller groups to fit specific niches in the market?

I know that it is hard to determine the value of these cylinder records, (otherwise, I would not be writing this thread) but it would help enormously if someone with more experience than me could estimate roughly, the value of the collection, and a fair price to sell the collection.

Feel free to ask me any questions about the records .

              

[2ready]

[maxphenol]

Why ?

It can take some time until someone answers as it is not easy to give you some good advice in this case. It depends on what you expect too.

Do you just like to not throw them away but find a good new home for them? So, offer the whole lot on eBay and see what happens. My guess is, that you perhaps make $200-$300 that way.

Or do you want to make as much money with them as you can? The best way then would be to list all cylinders seperately on eBay. The individual amount per cylinder will be a bit more than if you sell them together. But I guess you can not sell all cylinders that way, perhaps half of them or two thirds. The rest is either in too bad condition or has unpopular music on it, so just won't sell easy. So, you will have to list those grouped or all together cheaply. I don't know if it is really worth spending so much time in listing the cylinders for a bit more money.

What you should consider too, is that most of these records (except the indestructibles and the Blue Amberols) are extremely fragile. If you sell them and have to ship them, you should do a VERY good packaging to avoid breakage. If you never did this before, ask someone who is experienced. I can help you, if you like, just send me an email. Packaging will cost money and will take a lot of time. And if you don't do it well and a cylinder arrives damaged, you will have to refund money to the buyer. So, again a sale of all cylinders together to one person and a personal pickup at your home would be something you should really consider.

From what I see in the photos and your list, I do not think that there are any very rare cylinders amongst them. Perhaps there are some titles that are a bit more sought after, I can't tell without knowing them.

Does this help? Let me know.

[2ready]

I may have been a little too impatient there, sorry.

For the satisfaction of knowing that the records remain safe, selling to someone who lives relatively close to me is probably my plan of action. I can imagine shipping to be quite the pain.

Selling the records as a whole load might be a bit less stress for me.

Thank you for the response it has been very helpful.

[nefaurora]

Where are you located???

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

[lucius1958]

eBay is perhaps your best bet. If you want to sell the whole lot, give a comprehensive listing of all (where possible: brand, title, performer. More specifically: 2 or 4 minute; wax or celluloid; approximate visual grading (signs of wear; scratches, pits, cracks or splits; missing plaster, etc.)

If you can find a buyer who is willing to pick them up, that is good; but if not, you will have to consider shipping.

When shipping, treat all wax cylinders as if they were unexploded bombs: insulate and immobilize them as much as possible, so that they will survive any abuse the carrier may throw at them (and be certain they will). If you are selling the lot, you will have to parcel them out among a large number of boxes.

You might do better to sell the cylinders individually, or in several small lots, rather than in one large lot.

BillS