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Originally Posted by Psy-Fi
If I was going to do it, I'd be tempted to build my own replica to match the original in the painting. If it doesn't need to actually work, I wouldn't need many parts to put it together and I could probably find some inexpensive replica parts or get creative and use parts unrelated to a gramophone that would resemble the actual parts closely enough for the intended purpose. The box would be easy to make with a little imagination and without any specialized tools.
If I didn't have the tools, time, or inclination for a DIY project, I'd go with your first option. You said you prefer the look of it to the other one and it will cost less. It will look just as good (or better) and you'll save some money on the display.
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Thanks for your input, Psy-Fi. That's a great idea. Perhaps I'll take on the DYI project in the future if I feel so inspired.
I posed the same question in another community and received some really valuabale responses, which I'll share below just in case anyone is curious.
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Since you are not looking for functionality, but rather for the intended effect visually (and emotionally) - go with what pleases you, not what someone else will see/think/say about the "originality".
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(to which I responded)
You make an excellent point. I tried to tell myself the same earlier this afternoon when I first discovered the second option, but I am a cultural custodian and a music history aficionado which made the historical accuracy feel somewhat important. I am leaning toward the Monarch, but was curious what the community thought.
Another friend said -
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Aesthetically, i like the one in the first pic the best. it's more reminiscent of your father's set-up, which if my dad had something like that I'd be inclined to copy that, rather than the original photo. i also like the shape of the horn better. it seems more elegant.
I'm wary of buying products directly from overseas. IME, the quality is lacking and there isn't much of a recourse if the products are not to spec.
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(to which I said)
You're absolutely right. The Monarch model is an official reproduction sold by a number of distributors including Amazon, Overstock, and even Sears and has reviews from satisfied customers. That gives me far greater confidence than purchasing a documented forgery from Delhi (of which the eBay seller claims he has 10 of them in stock.)
I really like your thought about how the Monarch is a closer match to my father's Hallmark shadowbox gramophone; (it's actually a pencil sharpener!). His memory is a significant part of this project's inspiration, so your statement makes a lot of sense.
And a young woman suggested:
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Pick the stuff that fits right to you.
Also, you can keep waiting and checking for new postings of pieces you feel would fit your project. You don't have to buy now.
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(to which I replied)
Very true. It did cross my mind that if years from now, I found myself in such a position, I could potentially invest ~$1500 in an actual vintage Victor Talking Machine. I've found an original cylinder player at my local antique mall for only $300, and I own several Edison cylinders, but I've never been able to justify the purchase. (Yet.)
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In the end I ended up springing for the Monarch model. Hopefully, everything arrives safely by the end of next week and I'll share photos of the result. Thanks again!