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The Golden State Phonograph Society
was founded in October of 1999 by collector John Robles of Ventura,
California. For scheduling reasons, he had continually been unable to attend
meetings of the California Antique Phonograph Society. He missed the
camaraderie of other collectors, being situated about an hour and a half
north of many of them. He decided to contact other collector friends and
establish a California chapter of the Michigan Antique Phonograph Society,
with the goal of meeting in a different collector's home each month in order
to share information and view a variety of collections. This offered
insights into areas of collecting of which his fellow members might be
unaware. The meetings started on a social note with a potluck meal. A
program followed, usually (but not always) put on by the host of the
meeting, typically concerning their particular collecting interest. Also,
members were encouraged to bring items to trade or sell, and this monthly
marketplace became another fun feature of the meetings. A short business
meeting was also instituted, and this format has become solidified over
time, though there are variations. Sometimes GSPS meets at a museum or other
public place, such as the time we had our first public sale at an RV park
and campsite.
Now our
meetings take place from Central California to the Inland Empire to the
California coast, and we are taking in new members from all over the country.
They keep in touch via our newsletter, and now the Internet affords our
members and friends yet another service option.
The Golden State
Phonograph Society passed its tenth anniversary in October of 2009, and we
strive to offer
even more services and features to our members. Visit these pages often to
see what's in store!
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