“Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

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fran604g
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“Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by fran604g »

Hiya folks,

As has been loosely discussed around these parts for at least as long as I've been around them, George Paul (phonogfp) and I put our heads together and decided to act on putting together a questionnaire for the humble Graphophone "Type Q". This project ties into George's in-depth study and resultant comprehensive article that was featured in the September 2016 issue of The Antique Phonograph titled, "Cylinder Graphophone Banner Decals: Chronology and Variations".

I will maintain a spreadsheet with the information collected here, along with data collected from other sources -- as I find it, or it finds me.

As is the case for many of this type of post, photographs are encouraged, but certainly not required, especially in the case of unusual or neglected features. Remember: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

EDIT NOTE 12-14-2018: This survey also includes Q's that were marketed as the "Language Phone", and "Busy Bee". Please note if yours is a Busy Bee

1) What is your Q’s base type?
1a) Plain stamped base.
Q Plain Stamped Steel Base (Large).JPG
1b) Painted cast base.
Q Painted Cast Base (Large).JPG

2) What is your Q’s serial number? (The stamped steel bases are stamped onto the front edge of the base, and the painted base ones are stamped either onto the top edge of the key–side motor frame, or directly below the key on the side.)


3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)?
3a) Stanchion mounted to the base.
Stanchion mounted to the base (Large).JPG
3b) Bracket mounted to the motor frame side plate.
Bracket mounted to the motor frame (Large).JPG

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion?
March 30, 1897 or August 20, 1901.
Q End Stanchion (Large).JPG

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? Apparently 9 is typical. Please include New York, NY in your total count

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? YES, or NO.
Here's a photo of the earlier mandrel WITH flange:
Mandrel Flange Present (Large).JPG
And a photo of the later mandrel WITHOUT the flange:
Mandrel with no flange present (Large).JPG

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel?
7a) Flat End Pulley
Q Flat Pulley (Large).JPG
7b) Channel Pulley
Q Channel Pulley (Large).JPG

IF YOUR Q HAS A CASE, PLEASE PROCEED WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid? Please choose accurately from the images shown below.
Cylinder Graphophone Banner Decals - Sept. 2016 Issue of The Antique Phonograph - All Rights Reserved - 1.jpg
NOTE: TYPES 8,9,10, & 11 ARE 6-INCHES IN LENGTH
Cylinder Graphophone Banner Decals - Sept. 2016 Issue of The Antique Phonograph - All Rights Reserved - 2.jpg

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it?
9a) Paris 1900.
9b) St. Louis 1904.
9c) Portland 1905.
9d) Milan 1906.


10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked?
10a) QA, and what is the price listed if it has one?
10b) QC, and what is the price listed if it has one?


11) If you have any additional information, or notes you’d like to add, please feel free. i.e.: Receipts, special attachments, provenance, stories, etc.

Thank you all in advance,
Fran Pratt

Special thanks go out to George F. Paul, and The Antique Phonograph Society for the images I've used here.
Last edited by fran604g on Mon Dec 31, 2018 7:49 am, edited 6 times in total.
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fran604g
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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by fran604g »

I'll get this ball rolling with the Q's I own:


1) What is your Q’s base type? 1a – Plain Stamped Base
2) What is your Q’s serial number? 322,061
3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)? 3a – Stanchion
4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? March 30, 1897
5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? 9 (not original to machine)
6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? YES
7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? 7a Flat
Completed.JPG


1) What is your Q’s base type? 1b
2) What is your Q’s serial number? 821,031
3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)? Bracket
4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? August 20, 1901
5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it?
6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? NO
7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? Channel
8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid? Type 11
9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it? 9c - Milan 1906
10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked? QA 14" Alum horn $10.70
11) If you have any additional information, or notes you’d like to add, please feel free. i.e.: Receipts, special attachments, provenance, stories, etc. Came as completely original except missing the mandrel end “tag”.
QA.JPG
DSC01206 (Large).JPG

1) What is your Q’s base type? 1b – Painted cast base
2) What is your Q’s serial number? 848,700
3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)? Bracket
4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? August 20, 1901
5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it?
6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? NO
7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? Channel
DSC01067.JPG

1) What is your Q’s base type? 1b
2) What is your Q’s serial number? 933,155
3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)? Bracket
4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? August 20, 1901
5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it?
6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? NO
7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? Channel
DSC01169.JPG
11) If you have any additional information, or notes you’d like to add, please feel free. i.e.: Receipts, special attachments, provenance, stories, etc. This was my very first Q, and it came with an interesting brass horn. Interestingly this horn DOES NOT fit any of my Edison carriages - only the Q's.

:squirrel:
Last edited by fran604g on Sat Dec 08, 2018 12:10 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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TinfoilPhono
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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by TinfoilPhono »

Q number one:

1) What is your Q’s base type?

Plain stamped.

2) What is your Q’s serial number?

630234

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)?

Stanchion.

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion?

1897

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical)

9 (including NY)

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside?

Yes

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel?

Flat

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid?

(QB, cardboard box)

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it?

NA

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked?

NA

Q Number two:

1) What is your Q’s base type?

Painted

2) What is your Q’s serial number?

939282

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)?

Bracket

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion?

1901

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical)

(Missing)

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside?

No

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel?

Channel


8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid?

Type 10

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it?

Milan 1906

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked?

Illegible (sadly)

11) If you have any additional information, or notes you’d like to add, please feel free.

Intense dark green oak finish

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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by fran604g »

TinfoilPhono wrote:Q number one:

1) What is your Q’s base type?

Plain stamped.

2) What is your Q’s serial number?

630234

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)?

Stanchion.

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion?

1897

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical)

9 (including NY)

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside?

Yes

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel?

Flat

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid?

(QB, cardboard box)

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it?

NA

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked?

NA

Q Number two:

1) What is your Q’s base type?

Painted

2) What is your Q’s serial number?

939282

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)?

Bracket

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion?

1901

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical)

(Missing)

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside?

No

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel?

Channel


8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid?

Type 10

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it?

Milan 1906

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked?

Illegible (sadly)

11) If you have any additional information, or notes you’d like to add, please feel free.

Intense dark green oak finish


Thank you Rene!

Happy holidays,
Fran
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"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.

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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by phonogfp »

Don't get the wrong idea - - this is Fran's clambake. I just supplied a few photos and some annoying suggestions that caused Fran a lot of extra work!

Now I've been told by Fran to "get on the stick," and after all his effort I can't refuse, so here goes:

Q Number One:

1) What is your Q’s base type? Plain stamped.

2) What is your Q’s serial number? 376002

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)Stanchion.

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? March 30, 1897

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical)9 (including NY)

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? Yes

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? Flat

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid? Type 5

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it? NA

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked? NA


Q Number Two:

1) What is your Q’s base type? Plain stamped.

2) What is your Q’s serial number? 396652

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)? Stanchion.

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? March 30, 1897

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical) 9 (including NY)

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? Yes

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? Flat

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid? (QB, cardboard box)

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it? NA

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked? NA


Q Number Three:

1) What is your Q’s base type? Cast painted

2) What is your Q’s serial number? 990971

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)? Bracket

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? Aug. 20, 1901

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical) 9 (including NY)

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? No

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? Channel

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid? Type 10

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it? St. Louis 1904

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked? In pencil: "QA 14" Alum Horn" $10.70

Q Number Four:

1) What is your Q’s base type? Cast painted

2) What is your Q’s serial number? 1011298

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)? Bracket

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion? Aug. 20, 1901

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical) No tag - sold as Busy Bee

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside? No

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel? Channel

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid? NA

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it? NA

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked? NA

Good luck, Fran!

George P.
Last edited by phonogfp on Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by fran604g »

Thank you, George!

And thanks again for all your help, you're way too modest.

Happy Holidays!
Fran
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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by phonogfp »

After studying the decal on the lid of my "Q Number One" for about 15 minutes, I'm now pretty sure the decal is a Type 5. This would also make more sense considering its serial number. I will edit my earlier post accordingly.

George P.

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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by AmberolaAndy »

Might as well post about it in this thread...

1) What is your Q’s base type?

Plain stamped.

2) What is your Q’s serial number?

600152

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)?

Stanchion.

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion?

Mar 30’ 1897

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical)

I guess if we’re including New York...9?

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside?

Yes

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel?

Flat

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid?

N/A

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it?

NA

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked?

NA

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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by fran604g »

phonogfp wrote:After studying the decal on the lid of my "Q Number One" for about 15 minutes, I'm now pretty sure the decal is a Type 5. This would also make more sense considering its serial number. I will edit my earlier post accordingly.

George P.
Gotcha George, thanks.

-Fran
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Re: “Q” Graphophone Questionnaire

Post by fran604g »

AmberolaAndy wrote:Might as well post about it in this thread...

1) What is your Q’s base type?

Plain stamped.

2) What is your Q’s serial number?

600152

3) What type of governor support is used at its end (opposite the motor)?

Stanchion.

4) What is the last date stamped on the end stanchion?

Mar 30’ 1897

5) If your Q has a mandrel tag, how many cities are listed on it? (8 is typical)

I guess if we’re including New York...9?

6) Does your mandrel have a flange for the belt to ride inside?

Yes

7) Does your drive pulley have a flat end, or one with a channel?

Flat

8) IF CASED, which type banner decal is on the front of the lid?

N/A

9) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a decal on the back, what is the last date on it?

NA

10) IF CASED, and your Q’s lid has a paper label INSIDE, what is it marked?

NA

Thank you, Andy.

Best regards,
Fran
Francis; "i" for him, "e" for her
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.

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