My New Phonograph and Cylinder Record

[Brent]

Hello phonograph collectors. My name is Brent, I am fairly new to collecting phonographs. I just thought I would post a picture of my newest addition. I do not really know much about it. I think it is a Columbia BC. has a nice horn that stands at about four and a half feet i'd say. Im kind of curious what do you guys think this machine is worth with horn and crane? It looks great, runs. Only thing I can see it is missing is maybe a small lock that goes in the front where it opens to view the motor.

Also, I'm curious if maybe this cylinder record I have is worth anything. Reads, Talking. Lincoln's Speech At Gettysburg. 8154 See pictures below. Looks like it has never been played.

[phonophan79]

Hello Brent!

I just wanted to say welcome. We're glad to have you on the forum.

I personally do not know cylinder machines as much as disc machines... so I will defer to other members on the board.

I must say it looks like you have quite a handsome looking machine. Very nice! ...and quite a number of horns. The machine itself looks bigger and more elaborate than other Columbia Graphophones I can recall seeing in the past?

As far as the cylinder... I believe "Lincoln's Speech at Gettysburg" the speaker is Len Spencer and it was recorded in 1903. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[brianu]

for someone who's new to the hobby brent, you certainly appear already to have several horns and quite a few machines - including that nice edison tabletop chalet/bungalow model off to the side in the back. surely you must do your research before buying? probably through completed sales on ebay, or through the various other resources online and off. did you buy this columbia machine - or all of them - just for resale? or are you holding onto them?

[SonnyPhono]

Welcome!

Great looking phonograph. I love the horn too. Thanks for the pictures and I look forward to seeing more from your collection!

[phonophan79]

Here we go...

LOL... I understand your comment Sonny, but I don't necessarily disagree with Brian. It's been discussed many times in the past about people coming onto the forum, asking "how much is this worth" and then vanishing.

Not that any of us haven't sold a phonograph for profit in the past, but I think it's fair to say the members of this forum are here for the love of the machines and the love of the recordings. It takes a lot of time and effort to gain the knowledge of a hobby.

So, I don't think it's anything rude or offensive to ask this new member his intentions.

[Brent]

Here are a few more pictures of my collection. It is small but growing! I started collecting a little less then a year ago. Got my first machine from my grandfather and have been hooked ever since. I dont plan on reselling any of them anytime soon. I like how they look in my house and love listening to them to much but money talks so if I have to sell one to buy another one I guess I would sell one. Sorry about the "how much is this worth" question. I was just wondering what a machine like this was worth. Was curious if I made a good buy even though I often buy things becuase I want them and dont care the price heh. I try to not buy phonographs on ebay, I like to see touch and smell what I am buying.

[phonophan79]

Great looking collection... with an Edison majority! You have good taste.

[Aaron]

Hi Brent! And welcome to the hobby!

Im the opposite of Phonophan79, meaning, i know more about cylinder machines then i do about disk machines.

What you have, is infact a Columbia BC or also know as a "Twentieth Century" Graphophone...made about 1905. They very interesting machine, because they were the first to use a mechanical amplyfication device.It has something to do with fiction, and a bunch of other things i dont understand. There not tooo.. hard to find, but to find one working is the tricky part. The fiction wheel were made out of amber i believe, and for the most part are found shattered because they've become bittle, or the sometimes fuse to the other parts. And the diaphragm is another thing that tends to break. The bad part is no one really makes the parts for these machine. I have only ever heard of one person making parts and i believe he only made them for his machine. In any condition, id say there worth some where around $1000 to $3000. But im not sure on the condition of yours. Anyone of your horns is at least $100 , but not positive what is the most for them. And your crane ATLEAST $200 cranes are something people always need.

Their a machine i have always wanted. I have always wanted to see how this "Mechanical Amplification" works.. It sound mysterious. And i wanted one to go with my large horn... I have a 5 foot horn, and if you take a look at my avatar, you see im looking for a 9 foot tall brass horn. These machines were ment to be played VERY loud and normally for an audience. I hope this helps!!!

Best Regards,
Aaron

[phonogfp]

Hello Brent, and welcome!

Your new Graphophone is indeed a Type "BC", and a bit more interesting than most others of this model. The earliest decals (1905-1907) were lettered "The Graphophone." Your machine features the later (1908-1909) decal lettered "The Columbia Graphophone" but yet still retains the earlier style nickel-plated reproducer carriage. (Later carriages were painted black with floral decorations.) Yours is a nice transitional example. More importantly, it appears to have a 2/4 minute attachment, which is quite unusual on a "BC".

I would caution you that your stylus may - MAY - have been replaced by Columbia's notorious "all-in-one" stylus, which was a bit too wide for the smaller 4-minute groove, and a bit to narrow for the larger 2-minute groove, but managed to play both. To be safe, I'd play only celluloid cylinders on it (2 & 4 min. Indestructibles, 2 & 4 min. Everlastings, 4 min. Edison Blue Amberols), and no wax records.

Your "BC" looks to be in outstanding condition, and the presence of a brass horn with a large "BC"-size ferrule is a big plus. As Aaron points out, an original floor crane is also a valuable addition. Your crane was manufactured by the Tea Tray Company; a large supplier of horns and cranes.

Aaron also notes that the "BC" is often found inoperable. If yours plays - even weakly - consider yourself fortunate. These machines can be made to play very loudly, but it takes new parts - - which are not being produced for sale at this time. (I hope to change this situation in the future!) For the time being, enjoy the visual appeal of the machine if nothing else - - they DO stand out.

Happy collecting,

George P.

[txhog]

Holy, looks like a shop for phonographs