My first Graphophone! And serial number question.

[AmberolaAndy]

Yesterday I purchased a Columbia Q on eBay because I wanted something that would play brown wax cylinders when I find any. It will need some polishing up but it looks restorable judging from the pictures. I already have a 10in horn to go with it plus a belt, so all I need is a reproducer and case. I know these machines are considered to be “toys” by some, but hey! It was something I could afford and can be easily restored that will play brown waxes safely! Looking at the photos the serial number appears to say 600152 which dates it to about 1901, am I correct? But I’m not entirely sure if the first digit on the serial number is a “6” or an “8” I’ll find out when it shows in the mail sometime next week. (Hopefully not damaged.)

[Jerry B.]

Congratulations on your purchase. Yours is an early Q. The Q might have been an entry level Graphophone but I've never considered it a toy. If you consider how popular it was back in its day it becomes obvious that it was a truly practical machine for a low price. I wouldn't be in a hurry to buy a case. Many were sold just as you found yours.

Jerry Blais

[phonogfp]

Jerry's right - many, many Qs were sold without cases ("The Five Dollar Graphophone"). The case bumped up the price.

Yours looks like a decent example - it even has the often-missing mandrel tag. (Early Eagles to about #145,617 didn't have mandrel tags, but Qs always did.)

Congratulations!

George P.

[fran604g]

Congratulations on your new "Q"! Many of us get a bit excited when we see new early ones posted here. I'd suggest that first numeral is a "3", that would fit very neatly into the serial numbers recorded here at TMF in the past.

See these threads I've dug up:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=12563
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15499
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15836
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=28984

There are probably other posts I've missed, I hope they help with any concerns you might have.

Best,
Fran

EDIT 12-6-2018: Added a 4th relevant link for future readers and references.

[AmberolaAndy]

Congratulations on your new "Q"! Many of us get a bit excited when we see new early ones posted here. I'd suggest that first numeral is a "3", that would fit very neatly into the serial numbers recorded here at TMF in the past.

See these threads I've dug up:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=12563
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15499
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15836

There are probably other posts I've missed, I hope they help with any concerns you might have.

Best,
Fran

I don’t think that digit is a “3” because I read somewhere machinies that low of a serial number have 7 cities on the mandrel tag. And this one has 8.

[Jerry B.]

One reason I've always liked the Q is the fact that it came in so many variations. A good collector rule is to avoid duplicates. But the variety in Q's makes it possible to bend that rule just a bit.

Top photo - Shows an early Q on a fancy base (reproduction). It makes that Q look as splendid as any machine in the basement. Please forgive the later fancy key when it should have the flat key. (Anyone want to trade an original flat key for an original fancy key?).

Middle photo - Shows an early Q in an original cardboard case. How did something like this survive?

Bottom photo - Shows a late Q on a green base. The lid is a vivid green. Please forgive the Nipper wannabes. They are constantly sneaking into photos.

There you have it. Three Qs showing wonderful variety plus a gently bent rule on duplicates.

Jerry Blais

[fran604g]

Congratulations on your new "Q"! Many of us get a bit excited when we see new early ones posted here. I'd suggest that first numeral is a "3", that would fit very neatly into the serial numbers recorded here at TMF in the past.

See these threads I've dug up:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=12563
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15499
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15836

There are probably other posts I've missed, I hope they help with any concerns you might have.

Best,
Fran

I don’t think that digit is a “3” because I read somewhere machinies that low of a serial number have 7 cities on the mandrel tag. And this one has 8.

Keep in mind that mandrel tags frequently fell off, and get replaced. It's not unheard of them being removed and sold, too.

Best,
Fran

[AmberolaAndy]

Congratulations on your new "Q"! Many of us get a bit excited when we see new early ones posted here. I'd suggest that first numeral is a "3", that would fit very neatly into the serial numbers recorded here at TMF in the past.

See these threads I've dug up:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=12563
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15499
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=15836

There are probably other posts I've missed, I hope they help with any concerns you might have.

Best,
Fran

I don’t think that digit is a “3” because I read somewhere machinies that low of a serial number have 7 cities on the mandrel tag. And this one has 8.

Keep in mind that mandrel tags frequently fell off, and get replaced. It's not unheard of them being removed and sold, too.

Best,
Fran

It’s a possibility. I’ll see when I clean off the surface rust with some white vinegar. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping it shows up undamaged. Unlike the last time I bought a machine from eBay!

[phonogfp]

The mandrel tag is correct for a Q of this vintage.

I think you may be confusing mandrel tags cities with those shown on the long Columbia plates found on Eagles. Those list either 6 or 8 cities, depending on age.

George P.

[AmberolaAndy]

Here's an ad for a Q I found on newspapers.com. For some reason they referred the Q as the "Gem" like the Edison product. Not to mention clipart of the AT.