FOR SALE: VERY RARE COLUMBIA AP - $1700

[Shawn]

Shown in a 1902 Sears and Roebuck catalog is one of the rarest small Columbia machines offered. As can be seen in the ad, it was given away FREE.

AP AD.jpg (59.42 KiB) Viewed 537 times

Collectors know this machine today as the Columbia AP, or Premium machine. Yesterday, as today, nothing is free. In the fine print of the ad you are directed back to Sears to learn the complete “terms and conditions” required to get this machine for “FREE”. This usually entailed the purchase of some other item from the catalog, or some minimum quantity of purchase.

The Columbia AP is seldom found today. In fact, I have only seen 5 of them in over 30 years of collecting. Not to be confused with the very common Columbia AQ, the Columbia AP has no feed screw. Only the grooves on the record advance the reproducer forward. Though hardly necessary, the admonishment, “KEEP LEVEL” can be seen on the cover on top of the motor housing. An adjustment screw on one of the rear legs of the tripod base allows for leveling. When not perfectly level, the reproducer can easily skip down the record.

Even as a give-away, this machine was not widely distributed, owing for the scarcity of them today.

The Columbia AP being offered today is the finest original example I have seen. It is all original. It has a strong spring and plays easily through a record. The reproducer has been rebuilt and plays quite loudly. It sounds and plays surprisingly well for such a simple machine. The paint is excellent and much of the pin striping remains. The nickel as well is excellent.

If you are a Columbia collector, or were looking to add one of these machines to your collection, don't miss out on this opportunity.

The price is $1700 plus shipping to you. No PayPal on this, but checks are fine.

Please contact me with interest at [email protected]

Thank you

Shawn