"Siam Soo", The Happy Six - Columbia A3379 (02/07/1921)

This week's theme: 78 rpm record values

A few years ago if you asked how much is a 78 rpm record worth, I'd have 
said $0.50 wholesale / $1.00 retail. By that I mean if you just took a box 
of any old 78 rpm records in to an antique store they'd probably give you 
about $0.50 a piece for them and they would probably try to sell them for 
about a $1.00 a piece.

Not sure what the prices would be today - could be more - could be less.

The problem is that the records were mass produced and there just aren't 
that many people that collect these old ones.

And being by someone famous doesn't help them. Bing Crosby singing "White 
Christmas" is famous - but so much so it sold a gazillion copies - making it 
as common as dirt.

What you want is a poor African-American blues singer with a name like 
"Blind Something" recorded on an obscure, small record label in the early 
1920s. Some of those are in very high demand - but only some of them.

There are exceptions, the Beatles released some of their early songs on 78s 
in the 1960s for sale in India. They're worth $3,000 to $5,000 each in good 
condition - but I doubt Granny has any of those in her attic.

If you take the time to sell them on eBay you might get $5 to $10, you have 
to have one someone is specifically looking for - but nation/world wide you 
might find an eager buyer.

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"Siam Soo" is probably the most valuable record in my collection and a copy 
of it  sold a while back for $273.10.

WOW! If all my records were worth that I'd be on easy street :-)

Unfortunately, there's a reason it was so high.

There's a little antique automaton doll toy that's worth over $1000.00 by 
itself.

You put it on your record player and it does a little dance as the turntable 
spins.

Here's some videoes of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpW0nIIyUTE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUgrjhRuuGg&feature=related
http://www.t-h-a-i-l-a-n-d.org/talkingmachine/siamsoo.html

http://www.vintagephone.com/EWVictor.htm
http://www.vintagephone.com/willms2/V33L.jpg

http://collectorsfrenzy.com/details/150364048794/SIAM_SOO_COLUMBIA_78_RECORD_EDISON_VICTOR__PHONOGRAPH

Post subject: Re: FOR SALE: 'Siam Soo' Columbia record. $75
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17443
*SOLD*

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The Happy Six, is a VERY early Jazz group that recorded the song that goes 
with it.
If you have the doll you'll want the record too.

It's the doll that's driving up the value.

Thanks, Siam Soo!
You're a real doll :-)

You know, watching her, I did forget to eat ...


Stay Jazzed!
--Tom Swezey