Question about the Las Vegas Butcher

[ReneRondeau]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the so-called 'Las Vegas Butcher' has dabbled in making fake coin-op phonographs? In the past year or two there have been three or four fake "Manhattan Phonograph Co." coin-ops in the market. The last one sold recently on eBay for $7500. Another one sold in a live auction in April for $6000 plus buyer's penalty but at least that one was correctly described as a replica. Though, picking nits, it is not a replica -- the real Manhattan has a totally different cabinet. They consist of a $300 Edison Standard mechanism in a new oak floor-standing cabinet, with some replica parts for coin operation. Pretty tidy profit.

In checking around I have heard from a few people in the antique phono community that these came out of Las Vegas. Which is when the light bulb went off...

I'd be interested in any background information anyone here might have, and any photographs. Here's one of the eBay pictures.

[SLOT DYNASTY]

Hi Rene:
Long time No Hear from. As far as I know, the Vegas Butcher has not done anything with Edison Phonographs.
In fact, I don't think he even knows what they are, plus doesn't have the time, as he is mainly focused on all
his repro & reworked Jennings slots, as well as his rash of Fake - Fantasy trade stimulators. Just look at the
Junk recast parts that he lists on eBay. Besides being Crap examples, he doesn't even know what machine
most of them are for. He is misrepresenting items all the time, and of coarse not saying they are recasts.
Even some of the original parts he lists are titled wrong, and he took them off the damn machine! He is a
real piece-of-work!
Happy Holidays, Bill

[clubconsoles]

I saw this entered into the latest Morphy Auction.

http://morphyauctions.hibid.com/lot/229 ... ef=catalog

I have no idea if it could have been entered by the Gentleman in question?
At least the auction house is clearly stating its a "re-creation" so no one has any excuses, they are buying it for what it is, a Fantasy Piece!
its still a shame it couldn't have been left original., in my opinion