Golden Oldies Phonograph Collector Takes Pride In Restoration

Everyone knows “they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.” But in the case of Roy Watson, it’s true. That’s because Watson, a retired medical technician, owns a unique collections of antique phonograph players.

The Spokane resident began collecting and restoring phonograph players in 1989 and has accumulated about 35 of the devices. What makes his collection unique is that he has carefully restored many of the players.

“I try to keep them as close to their original condition as possible,” Watson said, “otherwise they lose their value.”

From stripping and refinishing the wood cabinets to special ordering mechanical components, Watson prides himself in taking meticulous care of his instruments.

“Some people do a really bad job of refinishing them before I get them,” Watson said. “I try to preserve their original feel and look.”

Watson does most of his refinishing work in the warmer months when the weather is mild. In the cooler season he focuses more on restoring the mechanical workings of the phonographs.

Watson, who moved to Spokane in 1950, acquired most of his collection locally, although he has traveled to Idaho and other cities in Washington in search of new additions.

Recently, he went to an auction in Ritzville for a chance to bid on a turn-of-the-century Columbia Disc Graphophone.

“One other bidder was giving me some trouble,” Watson said, “but I really wanted this one. I paid $350 for it and I would have gone higher.”

The Graphophone is not only the latest addition to his collection, it is also the oldest.

When scouting for antique phonograph players, Watson isn’t lured by highly finished models; rather, he is attracted to ones in lessthan-perfect condition and in need of restoration.

“Sometimes you can get a bargain and sometimes you can’t,” he said.

Many phonographs in Watson’s collection were made by the Edison Company, founded by inventor Thomas A. Edison who first patented the device in 1878. However, he also owns models manufactured by Colombia and Victrola.

Of his entire collection, Watson’s favorite phonograph player is an Edison Triumph, Model “T.” He paid $500 for it.

“I got this particular model for a great price,” he said. “It has an outside horn and holds 96 cylinder records. It was pretty beat up and scratched when I bought it, but I was able to refinish it. I’m sure I could get $1,500 for it if I wanted to sell it.

“I like this one because it has an especially good sound quality to it,” Watson said. “It plays both two- and four-minute cylinder records.”

Also known as “crank” phonographs, the early sound systems in Watson’s collection feature a spring which drives a turntable or cylinder. Cylinder records, as the name implies, are cylindrical, hollow tubes coated with material in which a groove is cut. The stylus - or needle - moves along the groove of the cylinder in a “hilland-dale” fashion which transmits vibrations to a reproducer and eventually to a horn which amplifies the sound.

Watson first became interested in collecting phonographs when he notice a dilapidated Colombia phonograph player in the home of a friend. He eventually traded a motor scooter for what became the first phonograph player in his collection.

After refurbishing it, he took an interest in others that needed restoration and began collecting more seriously. And, he says there’s always the fun of listening to the sound recordings of the early 1900s.

For those interested in collecting antique phonographs, Watson suggested starting small.

“First, check with people at antique stores and let them know what you’re looking for,” he said. If they don’t have it or if the price is too high, people who work there usually know where other antiques can be found, he advised.

Watson also recommends reading about the subject. One book in particular he favors is “The Official Price Guide To Music Collectibles” (Random House, 1986).

The publication provides pricing tables and general guidelines for purchasing various antique items.

“I’ve paid more and I’ve paid less,” Watson said, “but this book provides a pretty good idea of what they’re worth.”

Trade magazines are another source of information.

The best advice Watson has for the beginning collector is to know what makes an antique valuable.

“You want to leave the duds and get the better ones,” he said. “Always try to find items with original parts and the original finish if possible. There is a lot of learning involved and it just takes time.”