Help, please: The value of a 1920s "PhonoLamp" 78 player?

[AntiqueM53]

Help, please: The value of a 1920s "PhonoLamp" 78 player?

Hello, people.  A newbie, but I've searched; cannot find anything.   

I have an old "PhonoLamp" from Electric Phonograph Corp of New York.
Relevant info on it includes:
Model D      
Serial 1231      
Patent 55217
I also have a letter dated April 13, 1964, from the Head Curator of
the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. National Museum in Washington, D.C.
indicating that patent #55217 was issued May 18, 1920 to the company.
The letter also mentions that the company's charter was revoked
in Delaware in 1923 for non-payment of taxes.

As the picture shows, the original paint has come off in several areas.
The thing is about 5' 9" tall, and plays 78s records.
Currently, I'm just disassembling/cleaning it.
Considering sandblasting, then re-painting, and
then replacing the original (crappy) wiring.  Should I?
Can anybody give a clue...  Might it be worth $1, or $1,000,000?

I'd appreciate any info you can offer.
Thanks very much.

Mark

[mart]

So to make it short,,,NO do not sand blast or attempt to re-do the phono !!  Re-wire is OK but that's all for now !!

Can you take a pic of the company label on it ??  There was another Electric Phonograph Company in Kalamazoo,MI !!  Let me look around a bit !!  If you re-do the phonolamp chances are whatever it is worth is reduced by 50% !! Anything of that age is better off left as-is !!
Where did you get it ??  There are not many of them around !!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Absolutely don't alter it in any way. Does yours work? Here is a Phonolamp, a little different than yours and the auction estimate is (are you sitting down?) $4,000 - $6,000!

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5425475

[frogpatch]

I agree with all, do not touch the finish. I have never seen anything like this before. Where do the 78s go? Is there a speaker built in?

[mart]

Frogpatch,, This thing is 5'9" tall if there is no typo on the first post !!  I am assuming the phono part is in the center section !!  But will wait till the person come back and make sure !!  He/she will have to explain how this thing works !!

[icedgold10]

What an exceptional item!  Never seen one before.

[AntiqueM53]

Wow.  THANKS for the Fast replies, people.
I'm surprised, and Glad to see some actual interest in this thing.

Mart...  here are several pics.
It actually belongs to a friend, who inherited it when her Dad passed away.

7Seas...  It might work...  I just plugged it in (for the first time in Many years?)... 
It Does turn, but...  one of the balls on the speed governor just now broke off.
The spring steel that holds it broke.  1 ball detached, shown in the pics.
No problem...  I have an available metallurgist and machine shop... 
I think I can replace the spring steel (BOTH pieces, to maintain balance?).

FrogPatch...  The 78s sit on the green felt in that bulbous middle section.
The built-in speaker IS that cone extending up to the lamp-shade !
Cool design, me thinks.

Really?  Don't touch the Finish?  But...  it looks like crap !
It's down to bare metal in several areas.  And more bubbled paint falls off easily.

Mart...  Yup...  it Is about that tall.

Thanks Very Much, people.

Mark

[AntiqueM53]

Looks like the forum wouldn't take more than one pic...

[AntiqueM53]

and...

[AntiqueM53]

and...

[AntiqueM53]

and...

[AntiqueM53]

and the letter...

[Rauville]

They do have a following...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Antique-Tin-Chinoiserie-Phonolamp-Phonograph-Floor-Lamp-/380657962394

[mart]

I would also like to know about the shade,,is it mica ??  Some shades of that era are worth quite a bit !!Here is the thing about re-doing it,,most collectors consider anything done to the original lamp as damage !! When you have something that may be worth quite a bit you do not intentionally damage it in any way !! That includes the phono player !!  Sit on your hands,,put on blinders,,whatever you need to do but leave it alone till you know what the value is !! I would not even re-wire it yet !!  It needs an expert restorationist !!   Other wise you lose money !! Not good !!

[AntiqueM53]

Thanks again for the input, people.

Rauville...  This piece appears to be in better condition than that old ebay listing.
And this one has metal artwork on it, not painted artwork.
And the two top lights are attached to the outside of the top of the "speaker".
No metal cracks, but the base is a bit dented / bent.
Looks like it was pushed downward, from above.

Mart...  I had to look up what "mica" is...  and I'm still not sure.
The shade is some sorta' fabric...  maybe silk.
Needs to be cleaned, but does not need to be replaced.  It's in good condition.

Darn...  we're a bit late for the "don't even touch it" advice.   
I cut some wires, in anticipation of the re-wiring.
A picture shows one light removed, the other just hanging there.

OK...  no further work on this thing until we know the value.
As I'm a newbie to the world of antiques, can ya' suggest an
inexpensive method of a legit / realistic appraisal?
Google says there are several appraisers locally, but
how can I be assured that they know what they're doing?

Mark