I have some questions about a phonograph I have come across and wanted to ask them before I make a decision on whether or not I will buy it. I am sorry about all the questions but I couldn't find much on this phonograph and wanted to ask the experts.
Here is the phonograph in question:
I know this is a Period Style Grafonola. There are 26 different Period cabinet styles that were made, this being the Italian Renaissance style which I was able to find pictured in an ad from 1919.
Other than that, could anyone shine some light on how many were made or how rare they were/are? The ad says that they were priced to $2,100 which is an outlandish amount of money for that day in age. But I haven't come across any until this one and would like to know more about it before I make a decision on buying it. I like the light in the corner but am not too sure about the gaudy cabinet!
Does the electric light mean it also has an electric motor? If it does, and the price is right, I would go ahead and get it. I don't know how may were made, but it's bound to be a rarity, and if it has an electric motor it would be even more so. I personally have never seen an electric Columbia this old.
If it has a wind-up motor and I wanted to add to my collection, I'd still get it. I would guess the chances of finding another are very slim.
Ultimately it comes down to....how much are they asking, and is it worth that much to you?
On a similar note; I've seen advertisements for the "Adam" style console that Columbia made. Does anyone out there have one? If you do, post some photos for us in the next "featured phonograph". I would love to see what one looks like in real life.
The price is $900 but I'm sure I could get it down a bit. I think that it is worth it as like you said, I may not come across another. The ad I found shows this as the first electric Columbia and one of the earliest electric phonographs made. It works and plays fine so that's a definite plus.
Ouch!! I wasn't prepared for that high a price. Still, I would guess it's a rare piece. Sometimes, when faced with a purchase that I'm not sure about I try to imagine how I will feel in 3 months. Will I be tired of the item and feel cheated, or will I still be glad I bought it no matter what the price?
if you have the money, then either you want it or you don't and you should make your decision accordingly. art or period models such as these, particularly such ornately carved ones, were incredibly expensive and as a result are in most cases pretty rare these days. some basic things to consider, as with any machine - is it fully functional as is? and is the finish original?
beyond that, this is still a straight-horn columbia, so not the most ideal for record playing and sound quality... also, it's a lowboy, and that design (as opposed to an upright) takes up more space and notoriously dodges the interest of the typically upright or tablemodel favoring collectors.
regardless, if the finish is original, the machine works, and the cabinet doesn't have any major issues, then that price doesn't seem crazy - sure, it's always worth trying to get the seller to come down, but in the end you're the one who's going to be living with it... and you're probably not likely to come across another.
I'm not sure about the ad you saw, but you should know that the period models actually varied in price, from about $400 to $2,100 for the Gothic (P-19) model.
Here's the information about the Italian Renaissance model from "The Columbia Phonograph Companion, Vol. II" by Robert Baumbach, Page 168:
"Italian Renaissance (P-4)
This Period Grafonola had an elaborately carved cabinet with polychrome (muted color paint) decorations. Accommodation for 80 records was provided by tilting trays behind the left door. A disappearing panel on the right covered the silk and fretwork grille for the horn. The original price, ($700.00) was raised to $900.00 in 1920, then lowered to $700.00 in 1921. The electric motor was the only power available for the turntable. Columbia advertised the cabinet as "plain oak, semi-polychrome and full polychrome" suggesting that the purchaser had a choice of decoration depending on how much color could be tolerated in the room"
Height 38"
Width 42"
Depth 23 ¾"
If the top (lid) still has its original finish, and everything is in working condition, I think I'd go for it, personally, because the price does not seem out of line. These really don't turn up all that often, in original condition, especially the ones with heavily carved/applique oak cabinets. (I have seen about a dozen models with painted finish cabinets over the past 30 years, or so, but only two oak models.)
That has been re-run on CL a number of times so you could likely negotiate the price down. However, I remember that one of the ads said the front grill is missing and I figured it would be nearly impossible to replicate. Make sure you ask about that. If you could be happy with it w/o the grill, it certainly is a rare piece and really ornate so may be worth trying to get.
Wow! Thanks for all the help. Great information and that will really help in my decision. I will definitely check into the grill and will keep this thread updated. Thanks again!
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