The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Bruce,

that Ideal is fantastic! That mottled finish on the bedplate is great and the horn..well the condition is excellent.

Nice to have a machine with an "O" reproducer too. I had one of those reproducers once........

RJ

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a machine transparency, so here is a Columbia BI Disc Gramophone, or ‘Sterling’ in the U.S. and ‘Regal’ in Britain and Europe, from Steve’s photograph library:

I’ll attempt to solicit him to reply with more information about this machine; I know next to nothing about Columbia’s products, and as you may guess, the model and naming information are courtesy of Steve.

— MordEth

I'm not sure what I can say about this machine really?

It dates from approx. 1908 (I believe?) and it was the "middle-of-the-range" machine making it one of the most popular models. The Imperial and the Majestic were the better models with the latter having a triple spring motor whilst both models shared the same rounded cornered mahogany case. The BI has a double-spring motor and "Analyzing" reproducer / soundbox. Some of these are fitted with a volume control valve to the rear but not on this particular example. The horn is nickel plated brass and the tone-arm is uniquely aluminium. Columbia were the only makers to produce an all aluminium tone-arm, presumably for lightness?

HTH

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for the information on the machine. Ironically enough when I was trying to look into your question about the manufacture of springs, I found a page belonging to one of our other members citing it as a favorite phonograph.

Apparently it is a very coincidental morning.

— MordEth