*That's an impressive story of skill and dedication.
http://www.edisontinfoil.com/bill/ptacek.htm
(...)
"Bill recognized that the extremely high quality of his reproductions could potentially lead to their being confused with originals in the future, as they gain natural patina with age. To protect future collectors he was always careful to mark all of his replicas with his initials or name, along with a serial number.
"Bill's skills were not limited to making complete reproductions. He also made impossible-to-find parts for many rare machines in collections and museums around the world, helping to restore otherwise unrestorable phonographs. His work was regarded with admiration by all who saw it.
"Bill Ptacek was obviously very passionate about phonographs, but the hobby did not consume his life by any means. Bill was a private pilot, hot-air balloonist, motorcyclist and sailor. He was an expert on steam engines as well as Stirling hot air motors, and Model T and Model A Fords. He was an avid traveller who visited Europe at least once or twice a year and travelled all over the United States in his unending quest for knowledge about people, places, and things. He was passionate about wine and loved to visit the nearby vineyards on his trips to my northern California home. Annual trips to Paris for the Beaujolais Nouveau festival in November had become a new tradition. He was truly a Renaissance man, someone with unlimited interests, phenomenal talent, and a big heart. Generous and kind to a fault, he was a man of rare good humor, insight, and skill. He was my best friend and I will miss him.
"Rest in peace, Bill. God bless you."
