Did this Columbia BE leave the factory without a decal?

[Zenger]

I got this from a direct descendant of the original owner, and was told it was kept in an attic for generations. I can say for certain that it has never been refinished. And yet, there is no hint whatsoever of the usual Columbia banner decal on the front of the case. The Grand Prize decal, however, is present on the back of the case, complete and in very nice condition. Is it possible that this phonograph never had a banner decal to begin with? Which version of the banner decal did this model typically come with? If it was yours and you were restoring it, would you apply a repro decal or leave it as-is?

[JerryVan]

This looks familiar;

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=38749&p=230137&hili ... al#p230137

[Zenger]

Interesting! I guess I should have searched the forum first. So maybe some did leave the factory without the decal? Would you apply a repro or leave it as it is if it were yours?

[phonogal]

I too have a BE that seems to be original finish with no hint of a banner decal on the front. It does have the decal on the back.

[JerryVan]

Interesting! I guess I should have searched the forum first. So maybe some did leave the factory without the decal? Would you apply a repro or leave it as it is if it were yours?

If you look closely at certain little blemishes, I think you'll see that the one I linked to is in fact yours.

[JerryVan]

I too have a BE that seems to be original finish with no hint of a banner decal on the front. It does have the decal on the back.

Might be fun to compare serial numbers with Zenger's example!

[Zenger]

I too have a BE that seems to be original finish with no hint of a banner decal on the front. It does have the decal on the back.

Good to hear! Now we know there are at least three of them out there. Maybe someone showed up drunk at the factory that day.

If you'd be willing to swap serial numbers with me, please PM me. Thanks.

[phonogfp]

I would be interested in knowing whether the serial numbers of the three known examples are spaced closely.

George P.

[phonogal]

I would be interested in knowing whether the serial numbers of the three known examples are spaced closely.

George P.

That would be interesting to know. The number on mine is 4764.

[JerryVan]

Interesting! I guess I should have searched the forum first. So maybe some did leave the factory without the decal? Would you apply a repro or leave it as it is if it were yours?

If you look closely at certain little blemishes, I think you'll see that the one I linked to is in fact yours.

Once again folks, there are 2 known examples. The before & after photos of Zenger's and Phonogal's.