What Model Columbia is this?

[Raphael]

I found this in the Dr. Z collection and cannot locate any information. Does anybody here know what it is?

thanks,

Raphael

[Lucius1958]

This is the very same mysterious "backward" Graphophone that was pictured in Hazelcorn's Columbia Phonograph Companion, v.1. As far as I know, it has not been classified to this day.

Here is his text:

"This strange "Backward" Graphophone turned up in the Midwest in the summer of 1998. It did not have a letter designation or a serial number plate. It did, however, have the remnant of a Columbia award decal from the Milan Exposition of 1906 on the side of the cabinet. The black enameled chassis and bedplate were a one piece cast brass unit and the feed-screw and upper gears were exposed. An extra long mandrel that permitted playing of both the standard size four inch long, two minute records or the six inch long, three minute cylinders, was fitted on the model. The on/off switch and speed control knob were located on the front of the bedplate. This machine placed a strange looking, perfectly vertical black enameled reproducer carriage assembly on the back side of the mandrel. A #12 spring contact "Lyric" reproducer fitted into the carriage upside down (stylus at the bottom), so that the reproducer neck faced the back of the machine. The lift lever was mounted to the top of the reproducer frame and when raised, it disconnected the half-nut from the feed-screw and lifted the stylus away from the cylinder. The bedplate measured 12" x 10". The chassis occupied the front half and this left an empty area behind the mandrel of 4 ½". Located in this space, about three inches back, were two large knurled-edge bolts (spaced 2 ½" apart) that screwed into the bedplate. These bolts obviously held some device or frame for mounting a horn, but it was missing and what configuration it took is unknown. A three-spring motor with a 3-ball governor, similar to the motor used in the Type 'BO', powered this machine. The oak cabinet was virtually identical in appearance to the Type 'BC', only smaller (15 ½" x 13" vs. 19 ¼" x 14"). Carrying handles were placed on the sides and there was a hinged motor board that could be raised to access the mechanism, rather than the awkward drop down front panel found on the 'BC'. Sadly, the cabinet had been restored and the front decal was removed leaving only a shadow. Part of the Columbia award decal, mentioned above,still remains on the side."

Bill

[Raphael]

Bill,

Thank you so much for the information, which I missed seeing in the book. I will print it out and keep it with the machine for future owners.

Raphael

[Lucius1958]

You're welcome!

My personal opinion is that this may have been built as a possible prototype for the later tone arm Graphophones, and was passed over in favor of retrofitting earlier models. Unless more detailed information is uncovered of Columbia's business history, we can only speculate.

Bill