Featured Phonograph No. 136 Columbia Regent (special order)
Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 6:39 pm
Make: Columbia
Model: Regent Desk or Library Table model - special order one of a kind - Circassian Walnut
Serial #: There is no serial number anywhere on the machine (that I could find)
Year(s) Made: 1909?
Original Cost: $200+ the standard 1909 model sold for $200. I imagine this was cost more.
Case/Cabinet Size: 46" wide, 29" deep, 30" high
Turntable/Mandrel: 12" cast iron
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Columbia #6
Motor: Columbia 4 spring windup motor
Horn Dimensions: 14" wide and 7" high at the outside opening
Reproduction Parts: One set screw on the motor is new.
Current Value: $1500 - $2000
Interesting Facts: This phonograph was presented on the old Probaords Antique Talking Machines site in March 2009 shortly after I acquired the machine. The pictures of the outside of the machine are mostly from that original post because the machine is hard to access and photograph in my new home. I added a couple of pictures from its current location and of the motor as well. This is a machine I doubt I will ever sell and I am sure no one will ever find one that matches it.
If you look at the old site thread you will see some questioning of the lack of a Columbia decal and model or serial numbers. Some thought the machine had been refinished, but it has not. Everything is clearly original and there has been no messing around with the finish since it was new. At the time I had a conversation with Robert Baumbach about the machine and he had never seen this model and it is not shown in any of the literature. Based on the type of phonograph and the basic style it was dated from about 1909, which is early for a Columbia Regent phonograph. Robert indicated he believed it was a special order and was specially built for a private customer or for an exhibition. This is what I believe to be the case.
Note that the machine is made of Circassian Walnut and has the elaborate carving on both the front and the back. The gothic type look is very similar to the later Columbia Gothic machines and it makes me think the cabinet might have been custom built for Columbia by the Orsenigo Company as were the later machines. I have nothing that shows this to be true other than the look and quality of the carving.
The old Proboards Antique Talking Machines site from 2009 in the PHONOFOCUS LINKS section (while it still works):
http://victrolagramophones.proboards.com/thread/294
The original pictures from 2009 of the outside of the machine Today in my current house
Model: Regent Desk or Library Table model - special order one of a kind - Circassian Walnut
Serial #: There is no serial number anywhere on the machine (that I could find)
Year(s) Made: 1909?
Original Cost: $200+ the standard 1909 model sold for $200. I imagine this was cost more.
Case/Cabinet Size: 46" wide, 29" deep, 30" high
Turntable/Mandrel: 12" cast iron
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Columbia #6
Motor: Columbia 4 spring windup motor
Horn Dimensions: 14" wide and 7" high at the outside opening
Reproduction Parts: One set screw on the motor is new.
Current Value: $1500 - $2000
Interesting Facts: This phonograph was presented on the old Probaords Antique Talking Machines site in March 2009 shortly after I acquired the machine. The pictures of the outside of the machine are mostly from that original post because the machine is hard to access and photograph in my new home. I added a couple of pictures from its current location and of the motor as well. This is a machine I doubt I will ever sell and I am sure no one will ever find one that matches it.
If you look at the old site thread you will see some questioning of the lack of a Columbia decal and model or serial numbers. Some thought the machine had been refinished, but it has not. Everything is clearly original and there has been no messing around with the finish since it was new. At the time I had a conversation with Robert Baumbach about the machine and he had never seen this model and it is not shown in any of the literature. Based on the type of phonograph and the basic style it was dated from about 1909, which is early for a Columbia Regent phonograph. Robert indicated he believed it was a special order and was specially built for a private customer or for an exhibition. This is what I believe to be the case.
Note that the machine is made of Circassian Walnut and has the elaborate carving on both the front and the back. The gothic type look is very similar to the later Columbia Gothic machines and it makes me think the cabinet might have been custom built for Columbia by the Orsenigo Company as were the later machines. I have nothing that shows this to be true other than the look and quality of the carving.
The old Proboards Antique Talking Machines site from 2009 in the PHONOFOCUS LINKS section (while it still works):
http://victrolagramophones.proboards.com/thread/294
The original pictures from 2009 of the outside of the machine Today in my current house