“The RoseBouquet”

In 1976 my sister Elsie married Jack Peters. His brother-in-law, Darryl, an electronic engineer, decided to build them a gift of an eloquent stereo suite from the inside out. He valued it at $1000 at the very least. This teakwood stereo credenza and full size speakers made a grand gift.

But with various moves, and the family break-up, it has become a white elephant in my care, as I have looked after Elsie’s things in storage in Dad’s house since 1995. That’s when Elsie and her two children moved to Burnaby, B.C. so she could train for a career and be able to care for the children without going on welfare.

But this year I have had to move to a smaller home, and no longer have room for this elegant suite. Elsie has asked if I would try to sell it for $500. That’s my challenge right now.

By the way, what’s a white elephant?

Investopedia Says:
The term ‘White Elephant’ is derived from Thailand, where an Albino (white) elephant was given to unfavored people by the ruler. Because these elephants were sacred and not permitted to work, it was a burden to the owner as it would eat up all the owner’s money until he/she became destitute.

Wikipedia says:
The term “white elephant” came, in English, to mean a thing which is more trouble than it is worth, or has outlived its usefulness to the person who has it. While the item may be useful to others, its current owner would usually be glad to be rid of it. By reason of this, commercially, a “white elephant” might be available to purchase at a very favorable price. An example of such an item might be a mansion whose maintenance costs exceed the capacity of its owners.

Okay, maybe I should not throw that term around so loosely. But I am on the brink of having to pay for this stereo’s storage, and I’m not getting any use of it where it is now. I don’t think it should be such a hardship to someone who has the space to keep it in good condition until there is a demand for it as an antique.

In preparation to sell it, I’ve done some research. This stereo credenza and speakers set is now 41 years old. In nine more years it will be 50 and will qualify as an antique. I’ve also learned that many people have trashed their 1960’s - 70’s stereo cabinets to make room for the current electronic items in vogue. This means that in nine to ten years, there will be precious few of these handsome stereo cabinets and credenzas to find. Even if you hunt for them diligently - little to no luck! It would seem a very wise move to store this one for one more decade and then settle on the highest price it will fetch.

What does it look like? What it’s features?

The cabinet is built of teakwood, and all the electronic parts are only top quality Philips stereo components. The credenza is 28 1/2″ tall, and 42 1/4″ long, and 18″ wide. The two identical full-size speakers measure 28 1/2″ high, and 13″ wide and 20″ long.

The upper lid opens to a long playing (LP) record player with lots of extra space for the most frequently played records.

The long narrow door on the front opens to the controls for a top quality AM/FM radio which also uses the large Philips speakers. The builder told me that it would not be difficult to hook a CD or DVD player into this same system.

Below that are two folding doors to the spacious cabinet area for a large collection of LPs, (or CDs and DVDs).

All three parts of this suite have their own caster-wheeled dollies, so that they can be rolled easily to another position.

The suite is presently stored in some vacant office space. If you wish to see it in person, you must call to set up an appointment time to meet there. Please call me, (Ruth) at 306-956-7785. If you are sympathetic, but unable to take any other action, maybe you would be so kind as to offer up a prayer that a buyer will show up, who loves the teakwood stereo credenza and speakers suite and is willing to pay the $500 to take it away. I would appreciate that a great deal! Thank you.

You can see photos here of the Teakwood Stereo Credenza and Speakers