Trade Mark of Michigan Antique Phonograph Society
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Trade Mark of Michigan Antique Phonograph Society |
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The Michigan Antique Phonograph Society Story
by John Whitacre
(founding member, president and
MAPS editor from 1976 - 1996)Index
- Introduction
- Our Early History
- In The Groove
- Exhibits and Displays
- People of MAPS
- Purpose of MAPS
- Our Desire
- An Invitation
Introduction
From time to time, we are asked about the scope and extent of the Society's activities and the benefits to be gained from membership. Let me tell you a little about who we are and what we do.
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Our Early History
In the fall of 1976, a number of antique phonograph collectors in the mid-Michigan area happened to gather at the Eaton County Fairgrounds in Charlotte, Michigan to bid on some phonographs and records on the auction block for a local collector. As a result of that informal get-together, and a coffee break after the auction where David Abfalter and the author argued the merits of a phonograph collectors society, seven dyed-in-the-wool collectors from the Lansing area gathered at Dr. Fred Garlock's home on the evening of October 15, 1976 to get the ball rolling. The other four founders were Russell Nuoffer, Carlton Diefenthaler, Al Parrish and Dale Monroe-Cook. Temporary officers were appointed to head-up the neophyte organization.
In 1977, we celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the invention of the phonograph by Thomas A. Edison by putting on displays at the Grand Rapids Museum, Michigan State University and the Lansing Public Library. Originally called The Central Michigan Antique Phonograph Society, we observed that the name limited us too much. A new constitution and bylaws allowed us more latitude; we could have members from all over the United States. The name of the society was changed to The Michigan Antique Phonograph Society. Today, in addition to Michigan, we have members all over the world and chapters in Alabama, California, The Carolinas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Oregon Territory and Wisconsin.
MAPS founders consulted the Vintage Radio & Phonograph Society (VRPS) founder, Mr. Potter, for advice on establishing MAPS.
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In The Groove
The Society's journal started as a two-page mimeographed newsletter. As the membership increased and there were calls for more information and advertising in the newsletter, the number of pages increased. The name, In The Groove, stuck with the paper from the beginning. The name indicates the demeanor of our members. They are upbeat, enthusiastic people who enjoy their hobby to the fullest. It seems that nearly everything that we collect has a stylus, needle, or other method of tracking grooves; records have grooves, feedscrews have grooves. It seemed only natural that the newsletter should reflect an in-the-groove theme!
Because nearly three-fourth's of our members could not regularly attend meetings, it was necessary to develop a method of regular communications between members and the Society as a whole. In The Groove has become one the more important activities of the Society. It gives the members a source of information about technical and historical subjects; The Swap Shop provides an avenue for member advertisements. Each member can place a classified ad of up to 50 words in each issue of In The Groove space permitting. For the majority of our members, this is the only way they can stay in touch with current events affecting our hobby.
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Exhibits and Displays
Every October, we have a big get-together and display our best machines, records, music boxes, etc. for all to see and enjoy. We have contests, flea markets, seminars...all culminating Saturday night in a banquet, a noteworthy after dinner speaker, door prizes, and awards. We call it Phonovention.
Throughout the year, we display our machines and records on numerous occasions. Our chapters and many individual members exhibit their collections in schools, museums and historical sites and share the joy of old-time music by playing records and showing their machines to senior citizen groups, hospital patients, school children, and others.
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People of MAPS
The people make MAPS what it is. They have ranged in age from twelve to over ninety years old! They include doctors, ministers, dentists, salesmen, factory workers, farmers, engineers, housewives, teachers, postmen and nearly every occupation known to mankind.
The degree to which each member participates in our activities is governed solely by that member's interests. Many are interested in collecting and restoring vintage phonographs and records. Some are not collectors in the full sense of the word, but are interested in the early history of phonographs or record personalities. Some are authors, some are repairmen or parts suppliers. All are wonderful people that have one thing in common ... they love phonographs and records and all that goes with the hobby.
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Purpose of MAPS
Our Bylaws indicate the purpose of the Society is "...to provide scholarly information, services and entertainment to persons interested in collecting and preserving antique phonographs, and other mechanical music making devices, including records and cylinders...," and to assist the newcomer to the hobby by promoting authentic restoration and repair of damaged or worn machines; to rescue old records before they are destroyed and lost forever. MAPS also donates funds to museums, such as the Edison Birthplace in Milan, Ohio and the Edison National Historic Site in West Orange, New Jersey.
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Our Desire
The pursuit of this hobby has brought a great deal of satisfaction to a broad spectrum of people of all ages, various interests, and life styles. It is our desire that this amalgam of people and interests will increase their wisdom and satisfaction as they attempt to leave a heritage to our children, and they in turn, to their children.
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An Invitation
If you are interested in the society and its activities, you are cordially invited to join us. A membership application is on-line for your convenience. Please fill it out fully and return it with your check or money order (U.S. currency) made out to MAPS. Join us in preserving the history of the phonograph. Try us. If you are like us, you will like us!
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This page was last updated on December 31, 2008.
These pages are maintained using a Macintosh computer, MS Word in text mode, Apple Safari, and Fetch. The PC-format bitmap graphic was courtesy of MAPS, the color was added long ago by KidPix on a Mac IIcx. The ITG logo was scanned with a Umax 2100U scanner and the color added with KidPix.
