Date:         Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:16:36 -0400
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         "Steven C. Barr(x)" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: off-topic: guilty pleasure in hi-fi demo records
Comments: To: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Roger and Allison Kulp" <[log in to unmask]>
> I have a Philco/Columbia dealer demo set from 1948.This was made to
demonstrate the original black bakelite (?) cabinet Columbia  "Clamshell" (?)
phonos.There is an unnamed announcer,on the first side of the first record ,that
demonstrates how little space the music on a 12" 78 would take up on an Lp.There
are also,excerpts,and single-sides,from the first Columbia Masterworks Lps.These
come in a 12" 78 album,with a Philco logo on it.This is a very rare,and
historic set,yet I was once told by a big-time classical dealer,it wasn't worth
anything.
>
Well...what a given phonorecord is "worth" depends on two specific items:

1) How badly the buyer wants it

2) What it will take to induce the current owner to part with it

And these can ONLY be established during the occurence of each relevant
transaction...!

There are a very few "collecting hobbies" (most notably, numismatics and
philately...) in which there exists a universally-accepted and thus definitive
"official price guide"...! Otherwise...and particularly in the field of
"discophily"...the "price guides" are worth, more or less, "what the little
boy shot at" (aka SFA)!

IF you happen to have a Grey Gull phonorecord for sale...and IF it so happens
that I don't yet own a copy thereof...and IF I happen to have a few extra
simoleons in my pockets...you are very likely to receive more moolah than is
cited by the "Price Guide" to which you are referring!

OTOH, if any of the above-noted conditions fail to exist...you go back home
with your record, and eventually give up and donate it to Goodwill...!

Steven C. Barr