CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

[Rixrex]

This RCA Nipper Photo Mirror was hung up in my Dad's shop until it closed. It's been sitting in the garage and, because it almost was broken twice, we decided to sell it.

It's not something my wife wants in the house, and I felt a CED collector might appreciate this rather than it collecting dust in a dark garage. I believe he got it at just about the same time CEDs came out, and I don't know if he bought it or if RCA gave it to him when he worked there.



It's all glass with the image applied to the back and a mirror coating also. Size is 24" by 18", and the frame is 19" by 23". Weight is almost 10 lbs, It states:

His Masters Voice
Victor Talking Machine Company
Camden, NJ USA

Because it is glass, it would need to be either picked up or shipped with special handling service and be crated, not a carboard box, unless you want to take a risk of breakage. I wouldn't. I know Fedex offers this kind of special handling service. The frame would be shipped separately. You can see a bigger photo here:

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/26xfi

It looks really nice and in almost perfect shape. There are two small blemishes in the mirror coating that are not very noticable.

Anyone who is interested, send me an email using the email button, not a PM as that doesn't work. Or leave a reply here, I will check.

[ketonic_dude]

I love it RJ! But I'm flat broke right now and I'm guessing special FedEx shipping probably cost more then it's even worth. If I come into some money I'll see if you still have it. But thanks for sharing, it looks amazing.

[Rixrex]

Actually, it isn't as bad as you might think. But pick up is the best of course to assure unbroken status.

Since you're broke, I assume you're not buying a player anytime soon either.

[ketonic_dude]

As far as pickup I have a friend who lives out in CA but he is about 9 hours north of you. I don't think he'll go for that, lol. As for me I'm a little over 27 hours drive from you so unless your giving me your entire CED collection for free as well I don't think that's going to happen, lol. If you want to see how much it is to ship it to 56001, if it's not outrageous I might consider making you an offer on it. Depends how much shipping is and how much your looking to get for it. Thanks.

[Rixrex]

Ha, we actually have about 700 discs we don't need, duplicates of ones we do have. That's 1,000 lbs, so it would have to be a heavy duty truck, like one of those diesel Isuzus, to pick them up but they are all in good strong milk crates.. Let me know if you ever plan a trip to CA.

So I will take the Nipper mirror to Fedex ship center and check on a special handling cost to you area and let you know.

[ketonic_dude]

700 extras you say Rick.... Well actually a half-ton truck can haul nearly 2,000lbs so that wouldn't be a problem but gas to CA and back would run me over $900, so even if I needed all 700 discs and you just gave them too me it still probably wouldn't even be worth it. But I do need about 600 more titles to complete my collection. I have a couple of ongoing deals to make and then I will email you a list and depending on price I could probably afford to ship the 100 or so titles you may have extra that I need. I myself have about 300 extras sitting in my garage. I've probably sold off over 100 extras throughout my exploits. I am also waiting to hear back from Ryan about any extras he may have that I need as well. But as for the nipper mirror, thanks for checking it out for me, I can't wait to hear back.

[Rixrex]

That's why I mentioned the diesel Isuzu. I drove one once to Kansas from here and got almost 30 mpg on it, diesel fuel, and it was packed with furniture.

Still, it would only be worth the trip if you had another reason to visit CA, which a lot of people do have.

[ketonic_dude]

My family went to Disneyland when I was a kid. It was a good time. My boy is only 16 months right now so it will probably be a while before I consider Disneyland for him. Put personally I would love to visit San Fran and see the Golden Gate Bridge. Probably not in the cards unless I win the lottery or something, lol. Good to know I've got a couch to crash on out there though, wink. Like I was saying though, out of those 700 extras you have there are probably only a 100 or so that I need and shipping would be far cheaper then driving out there, unless that was already the plan like you said.

[Rixrex]

Do you have an updated list you can send me via email, not posted here as I'd want to print it out? USe the email button or I think you have the email address already.

I recently have searched thorugh the boxes for certains discs and what is extra is fresh in my mind right now. So send that list as soon as you can, okay?

[ketonic_dude]

Sounds good RJ, I just emailed you my list and details. Thanks.

[Rixrex]

Wow, I didn't realize the list was that large! Glancing through, I see a few already that I have extra. Will take a bit of time.

[ketonic_dude]

Yeah it's pretty long still but like I said I've got 3 or 4 other sales in the works for probably close to 100 discs more or less but I'm not sure on the titles yet. But take all the time you need as its going to be a couple of weeks before I have any cash anyways. Thanks. Keep me posted on the mirror too.

[Rixrex]

Okay, guys, here's some good news about shipping this. I took the photo mirror inb to the Fedex store, operated by Fedex, not a postage place. The Fedex store location will pack the mirror photo in a special mirror/glass package for the price of $20. The special package is a plastic box with styrofoam inlay designed to withstand any sort of pressure on it. Plus with that box being used, it's noted for special handling regardless of which shipping rate used. And the frame would be sent along with it.

With the weight of the mirror and the packaging, Fedex estimated a trip from here in Calif to Maine (or anywhere east coast) to be $25. Plus they guarantee no breakage with full repayment of the value of the item, no questions asked.

So, anybody more interested now?

[ketonic_dude]

Yeah that sounds great Rick, how much are you looking to get for it? Is like $50 in the ballpark, plus shipping of course?

[Rixrex]

I just sent you an email.

[ketonic_dude]

Hey RJ,

So I went to the frame store last week to see about getting this mirror reframed and professionally backed and everything. A decent looking frame was $250, I was shocked. So rather than pay their over inflated prices I figured I would just keep it in the original frame. I cleaned it up with mineral oil and pledge furniture polish. Then put 3 coats of poly on the front and 2 on the back. I cut one solid piece of cardboard for the back and stapled it in with new staples. Then I brought it down to the frame store and it was $5 for the brown paper backing and to have a wire put on. I'm glad I stuck with the original frame actually cause it looks really good. I noticed there is actually a line of gold painted around the frame to match the mirror, kinda cool. Well here are pics of it all done and its final place up on the wall. How's it look?

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/ketonic_dude/13DCF2A8-58DA-4DD8-B781-20F185379627-3025-000005DC588A05FD.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/ketonic_dude/236A3EB3-176B-4B8B-977D-2D870CFDFF81-3025-000005DC654348B5.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/ketonic_dude/73724CE4-EFBF-4A88-8401-5EFB4C3883D4-3025-000005DC7467122E.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/ketonic_dude/7F55082B-12E3-4CA8-B9D5-EB16868DECAF-3025-000005DC7BCB768A.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/ketonic_dude/5B95C33A-7049-4350-AA5E-0FB8796F9CD5-3025-000005DC8535E455.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/ketonic_dude/1FD6CCAF-AEEB-4CFD-A840-F10938D8D7E8-3025-000005DC8D4F71B3.jpg

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k483/ketonic_dude/4B99CE27-27D5-4241-A8C3-59EFD30E4490-3025-000005DC971DA944.jpg

[dr8track]

Very nice restoration job. Looks great!
_________________
Keep On Trackin! Obsolete Technology For a New Millennium. http://keepontrackin.webs.com

[Rixrex]

I'm really glad you decided to keep that frame! That's a great looking job.

I'm pleased since that's how Dad got it from RCA, so it looks really great along with all those CDs.

Now, I still have two RCA brand LD players with remotes availabe, and they play both sides of the disc automatically. (RCA contracted Pioneer to make them, so they are good units)

[ketonic_dude]

Thanks Rick, I'm glad I kept it in the original frame as well. I think it would have looked good either way but this just feels more nostalgic. It does look great with the CED's displayed. I'd love to get one of the foot tall plastic or ceramic Nippers to set up there with it, I just have that little stuffed plush Nipper I picked up on eBay a little while back. Perhaps someday.

As for the LD Players, I really don't even watch the Laserdiscs I have now, I've actually only watched 2 laserdiscs my entire life. I watched my full screen Back to the Future and The Lion King, I also watched part of Jurassic Park, and that's it. So it's really not a priority for me. Unless I get a good paying job anytime soon Laserdisc is on the back burner. All my extra resources go towards CED's. But I will certainly keep it in mind when the time comes. Thanks.

[Beetlescott]

Josh, I really love the picture!!! It looks great!!!

[ketonic_dude]

Hey RJ, you out there? I've tried sending you emails twice now about the mirror. I'm wondering if you got them or not. I was just wondering if you could send me a little history on it to keep with it. Thanks.

[Rixrex]

I would when I get a chance. My wife and I operate an income tax office and we are pretty busy right now. Sorry.

[ketonic_dude]

No problem, I completely understand. Whenever you can, thanks.