Make: Columbia
Model: Small Gothic P 26
Serial #: 45-5656
Year(s) Made: 1919 - 1921
Original Cost: $675
Case/Cabinet Size: 52" high, 19" wide, 19" deep
Turntable/Mandrel: 12" cast iron
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Columbia #6
Motor: Columbia Universal Electric Motor - AC
Horn Dimensions: 8" wide, 10.5" high at the front opening
Reproduction Parts: None.
Missing Part: Light Cover
Current Value: $3500 - $4500
Interesting Facts: The cabinet for this and other period Grafonolas were made by the Orsenigo Company. Here is a link about that company and the machines they built once Columbia stopped ordering from them in 1921.
This document contains patents of several elaborate phonograph cabinets with patents belonging to the Orsenigo Company.
Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office:
https://books.google.com/books?id=ZhRLA ... &q&f=false
Images of all 4 sides of the machine. Note that all 4 sides are as well painted as the front. An amazing amount of detailing in the polychrome:
Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
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Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
Last edited by melvind on Thu Mar 08, 2018 7:36 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
Front Panel Volume Control:
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- Victor IV
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
The right side has a panel that opens to show the chamber containing the motor and the horn.
Under the lid the is a chamber that contains the tonearm and turntable. New Needle Storage is on the right side top side of the area. There is a holder for used needles right below the reproducer. Also a round control for speed on the metal motor board. Next to it is a switch that will turn the light off when the lid is open. Normally down to engage the light when the lid is opened. A small button switch on the rim where the lid rests turns the light off and on.
Last edited by melvind on Tue Mar 06, 2018 10:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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- Victor IV
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
Figures on the four corners. These are hand carved and each Gothic machine I have seen has unique figures and polychrome coloring.
Last edited by melvind on Tue Mar 06, 2018 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Victor IV
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
The motor and the stop switch recently repaired.
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=34439
There is a thread where I asked about how the stop switch worked. It has some interesting information and comments.http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=34439
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- Victor IV
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
Patent and Serial Number Stickers (found on the underside of the motor and horn chamber):
Type P 26
Finish Polychrome
Serial # 45-5656
Motor # 16435
Factory 45
Some Interesting other information about the Orsenigo Company.
This is an interesting Talking Machine Forum thread about a huge Orsenigo phonograph purchased by Jerry Blais.
Gigantic Orsenigo Purchase
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=28901
The Antique Phonograph journal article on the Orsenigo Company from March 2016. The Orsenigo Company made furniture and other things and for a time made phonograph cabinets for Columbia period Graofonolas.
If you are a member of APS you can use the Advanced Search to find the article.
1. Search for “Orsenigo Company”.
2. In the results list click on the link named “TAP-2016-03” which will open a PDF document.
3. Search or scroll down to the article.
As far as I can tell this is the information shown on the Serial Number sticker:Type P 26
Finish Polychrome
Serial # 45-5656
Motor # 16435
Factory 45
Some Interesting other information about the Orsenigo Company.
This is an interesting Talking Machine Forum thread about a huge Orsenigo phonograph purchased by Jerry Blais.
Gigantic Orsenigo Purchase
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=28901
The Antique Phonograph journal article on the Orsenigo Company from March 2016. The Orsenigo Company made furniture and other things and for a time made phonograph cabinets for Columbia period Graofonolas.
If you are a member of APS you can use the Advanced Search to find the article.
1. Search for “Orsenigo Company”.
2. In the results list click on the link named “TAP-2016-03” which will open a PDF document.
3. Search or scroll down to the article.
Last edited by melvind on Tue Mar 06, 2018 10:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- barnettrp21122
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
That's a beautiful machine! I'm sure you'll treasure it!
Thanks for the info and pictures!
Bob
Thanks for the info and pictures!
Bob
"Comparison is the thief of joy" Theodore Roosevelt
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo
His Master's Voice Automatic 1A Exponential Gramophone Demonstration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi70G1Rzqpo
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
Here are a couple of pages from the "Columbia Phonograph Companion II" used with the permission of Robert Baumbach. Many thanks to him for allowing me to use them.
The Columbia Small Gothic P-26 page: This is an interesting page discussing the Columbia Universal Motor (with some Star Trek humor added by the author):
The Columbia Small Gothic P-26 page: This is an interesting page discussing the Columbia Universal Motor (with some Star Trek humor added by the author):
Last edited by melvind on Wed Mar 07, 2018 10:59 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
It's truly a stunning cabinet which must have been very difficult to make. I'm especially grateful to you for adding it to the Featured Phonograph section of the forum. I find myself referring to it often and I don't understand why everyone with a great machine doesn't contribute to it. It helps to educate individuals like myself that are relatively new to the hobby.
"You can't take the phonographs nor the money with you, but the contentment the phonographs bring may well make your life better, and happier lives make the world a better place."
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 135 - Columbia Small Gothic P 26
What an interesting, beautiful and opulent machine. And in such perfect condition. I can't get over the craftsmanship and the advanced technology that was used to build such a machine. This must have been something really luxurious and special for someone to buy back then. Thank you so much for sharing with so many great detail pictures. I'm sure this is a treasured highlight in your collection.
Andreas
Andreas