1902 RIGID ARM Victor Monarch \"M\" Phonograph * Scarce, Complete & 100% Original
![1902 RIGID ARM Victor Monarch \](img-large/g/0cEAAOxyJ8ZRg6MN/s-l1600/1902-RIGID-ARM-Victor-Monarch-M-Phonograph-Scarce-.jpg "1902 RIGID ARM Victor Monarch \")
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1902 RIGID ARM Victor Monarch \"M\" Phonograph * Scarce, Complete & 100% Original:
$3500.00
Make sure to check out all of my sales after you\'ve looked at this one. I\'m listing an eclectic assortment of hard-to-find technological, musical and mechanical antiques, and I suspect there will be something of interest to almost everyone.Here\'s a scarce, wholly original Victor \"Rigid Arm\" Type M Talking Machine, a short-lived transitional phonograph that was the bridge between Victor\'s primitive front mount Monarch Talking Machines and its more refined Taper Arm Monarch Talking Machines. And when I say wholly original, I mean wholly original. This phonograph -- seldom found in any condition, much less as correct and complete as this -- is a one-family heirloom that was tucked away for more than a century and remains in its authentic, unadorned original state. It has not been restored, touched up, tweaked, rebuilt or found any portion of itself \"married\" to parts from another phonograph. The original Rigid Arm assembly is clean and working properly. The back-bracket enamel is original and in excellent condition, and most of the original gold detailing is still prominent. The early short throat Victor Concert reproducer is the correct one for a Rigid Arm, and it\'s in excellent condition, save for the mica diaphragm, which is damaged and needs to be replaced. The crank is original and correct, with some normal oxidation but no cracks or corrosion. The record hold-down is original and correct, and the original felt is still in place on its underside. The turntable and turntable brake are original and correct, and the turntable felt is original and in good condition, with fading but no moth damage. The motor is original and working well, as is the governor assembly. There\'s gear noise, as is the norm for most Victor Monarchs, but the motor still has plenty of torque and doesn\'t need to be rebuilt. The quarter sawn oak cabinet is original and undamaged and still beautiful. No missing molding, no crushed or damaged corners, no hairline cracks, no motorboard splits, no base splits. The finish is of course original and it shows only minor checking. All four original feet remain on the underside of the base.The horn is original, with scratches and moderate paint wear and corrosion but no significant dents or damage. The horn elbow is original and still angled properly. There are some stress artifacts evident (see last 2 photos), but the horn sits properly in the back-bracket, and the elbow (the Achilles heel of Rigid Arm machines) still appears to be structurally sound.The short version of this story: If you\'re serious about antique phonographs, and you\'re looking for the real deal, well, folks, this is the Real Deal. However, if you\'re just wading into the antique phonograph waters, and you\'re looking for a machine that\'s ready to go, I need to let you know that there are more appropriate, less expensive models out there. As noted above, the reproducer on this phonograph requires a new diaphragm, and the set-up and operation of the rigid arm/back-bracket assembly can be time-consuming and confounding. In other words, this phonograph -- while eminently collectible -- is probably not the best choice for a novice.
That\'s about it. Buyer prepays and includes shipping. Phonograph and horn will need to be packaged separately to ensure the safe arrival of the horn. I\'ve been shipping antique phonographs and scientific apparatus around the world for decades, and I know how to get things to you safely. Overseas buyers are welcome in countries where I can ship oversized packages, but please contact me in advance for a shipping quote and for confirmation that I can ship the phonograph to you. Also, please note that I can\'t falsify customs documents to save you money on duty.
1902 RIGID ARM Victor Monarch \"M\" Phonograph * Scarce, Complete & 100% Original:
$3500.00