The Talking Machine

Thomas Alva Edison’s phonographs were first manufactured in 1878 and are sought-after collectors’ items. Edison’s phonograph first used tinfoil-covered cylinders that played for only two minutes. By 1885 Alexander Graham Bell, his cousin Chichester Bell, and Charles Tainter had applied for a patent for a graphophone that used wax-coated cylinders, which provided better sound. In […]

Other Music Makers

The rule for valuing other types of musical antiques is simple: If it is odd enough, someone will want it and treasure it. There are many collectors of old instruments, and they are always searching for rarities. The Internet and special publications devoted to music and musical collectibles are the best sources. To find or […]

Music Boxes

Music boxes first became popular in the 1800s and the mechanisms were gradually improved during the century. The early music box had a revolving brass cylinder set with steel pins. The pins hit a metal comb that had from fifteen to twenty-five teeth. After 1820 the pins and cylinder were made from a single piece […]

Pianos

Nineteenth-century player pianos, nickelodeons, and large music-making devices are very popular with collectors. These fun collectibles are loved for the joy they give, not just for their artistic or historic value. The early ones were expensive, and today only a very limited number are available. A player piano can produce music without a pianist touching […]