Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

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datamath
Victor Jr
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Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by datamath »

Hey Guys!!

First of all, this forum seems to be an amazing place for phonograph lovers. It's an honor for be to be part of the community.

I have received a very lucky gift from my family, who thought it was a good idea to gift me a phonograph.

I would like some help dating the machine, as I couldn't find much info about it on the net. Any help will be appreciated!

I know some facts that might be useful: its motor is a Paillard. You can see it at the attached pictures.
I also found that "Two years later, in 1906, the American Graphophone company reorganized and changed its name to Columbia Graphophone Company to reflect its association with Columbia."

Thank you very much!

José
Attachments
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Teak
Victor II
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by Teak »

Sorry to say, this contraption is no antique but a (very creative) fake. Read up on the term "Crapophone".

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gramophone-georg
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by gramophone-georg »

Definitely someone's fantasy vision but it looks quite well- made. How's it sound?
"He who dies with the most shellac wins"- some nutty record geek

I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar

datamath
Victor Jr
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by datamath »

The sound is pretty decent, actually. It's sad to know it is not original though :( I'll be more cautious in the future when buying machines!!

Thank you guys!! :)

Is it possible that, at least parts of it are original? Some of them would be hard to make just to make a fake... the metal base, the etched glass, and so on.

Thanks!

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TinfoilPhono
Victor IV
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by TinfoilPhono »

The metal stand definitely looks old, but it has nothing to do with a phonograph. Note that the shape of the cabinet base doesn't match the metal stand. They were never made to go together. Most likely that part comes from an old stove or some other cast iron household item.

The etched glass is definitely new. Though the American Graphophone Company made phonographs for Columbia, they never put that name into a banner, other than as fine print in the lower right corner. Banner decals (which that is meant to emulate) either said just "Graphophone" or "Columbia Graphophone."

The motor is old, 1930s to 1960s, salvaged from a suitcase-style portable. The rest (aside from the base) is new, probably from India.

All that said, it is certainly one of the most striking Crapophone designs I've seen.

datamath
Victor Jr
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by datamath »

Thank you very much guys!! :)

I appreciate the information!! :)

It's sad to know it's not original, though :(.

Thanks!

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gramophone-georg
Victor VI
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by gramophone-georg »

datamath wrote:Thank you very much guys!! :)

I appreciate the information!! :)

It's sad to know it's not original, though :(.

Thanks!
Well... it's definitely original... it's just not antique.

That said, it looks like a fun little machine.
"He who dies with the most shellac wins"- some nutty record geek

I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar

Teak
Victor II
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by Teak »

just don't play expensive records on it, tracking is almost certainly horrible.

datamath
Victor Jr
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by datamath »

Thanks for the advice!!!!

Actually, I have a wonderful modern player for my fine records ;). 3 gram weight, so I'll only play common records on this machine.

Thanks to all for your advice!!

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gramophone-georg
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Re: Help Dating American Graphophone Machine

Post by gramophone-georg »

So where are you, Jose, and what sort of records do you collect?
"He who dies with the most shellac wins"- some nutty record geek

I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar

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