MEET THE DEALERS
MARC
GROBMAN
Marc
Grobman leads two lives: part time free-lance writer and part time record
dealer.
Grobman has been collecting records since 1963, when he bought some rock
and roll recordings while attending summer school in Mexico. He specializes
in North, South and Central American music, and music of the Carribean,
from the 1920s to the 1960s. Both 45s and 78s are represented.
He has written articles for record publications such as Discoveries, Gold
Mine, and Joslin’s Jazz Journal, and is part-author of the book Picture
Discs of the World.
Grobman holds degrees in English and Sociology, and has worked for the
New Jersey state government and for the health industry. As a free-lance
business writer, he has for over 20 years edited newsletters and contributed
articles to trade publications about the health industry and related legislative
issues.
The most amazing trend of recent years, says Grobman, “is the number
of 30somethings and 40somethings who are buying 78s. Rhythm and blues.
Topical. Novelty. And ethnic.”
“I think it’s because the equipment to play 78s has finally
been made available on modern electrically driven turntables.”
“They listen to college and independent stations and hear re-issues.
They want to see where the music they like came from.”
Grobman also serves as a substiture disc jockey on WFMU, an independent,
non-profit radio station in Jersey City, New Jersey.
MOE GOLDY
For
the past 15 years Moe Goldy has specialized in the sales and restoration
of automata.
Now retired and living in Florida, Goldy had trained as a chemical engineer
and worked as a civilian for the armed services.
The restoration and research of an automaton can require months. Goldy’s
wife, a doll collector, does the sewing and obtains the types of cottons
and silks used by the original makers in the 19th century.
Goldy travels to Paris twice a year to purchase automatons and to talk
with modern French automaton craftsmen.
Quality automatons can range in price from $5000 to $250,000. Warning:
reproductions abound. If you are considering a purchase Goldy will be
happy to consult with you.
KEN
WOODBURY
Ken
Woodbury, of Keene, New Hampshire, might be the nation’s largest
travelling antique phonograph dealer, if not the nation’s largest
antique phonograph dealer.
For over 22 years, a giant Nipper dog affixed like a flag to the top of
Woodbury’s tent has beckoned to customers in general line antique
shows from more than 12 states on the eastern seaboard.
Woodbury usually brings around 50 machines to shows, and keeps around
800 machines available. He also keeps 22,000 78rpm records in inventory,
as well as more than 3000 cylinder records.
Woodbury attributes his interest in talking machines to a longstanding
love of music. He attended the Navy School of Music and served as a musician
in a Navy band. Upon leaving the military, he was employed as a vice-president
of a supermarket chain.
His business, “Nipper’s Choice,” was begun as a part-time
venture in 1981. Woodbury’s personal collection concentrates on phonograph
accessories such as toys and record dusters.