What early model Grafonola is this?

[Hyperion]

I've looked through Mr. Baumbach's Columbia book and can't find an exact match for this machine. The late Nonpareil and third-style Deluxe seem to be the closest, but neither is an exact match. What is it?

Also, does it all look correct and original? What about that elbow? That ring round the reproducer? The speed gauge on the right? And what's that that round thing in the lid (left side) that I've circled in the last photo? And does anyone have a picture of what a key for this would look like?

[andyjon100]

I'm not sure of what model it is, but that push button is the lid latch release, you push it to close the lid. You can see the rod coming down to the latch mechanism inside, my early Favorite has one. I also have an unknown Columbia upright. It seems to me that Columbia didn't like to put models on their machines, and used a mishmash of parts and features from one to another. That's really a great looking machine, though!

[Hyperion]

That's one question down! Now to crack the rest of the mystery...

[Bruce]

According to Robert Baumbach's book "Columbia Phonograph Companion Volume II" There are a couple of options of Grafonolas;

1911 the Nonpariel (late model)
1912 the De Luxe (third style) he mentions that this one has a locking lid,gold plated hardware and a four spring motor
1915 the 150 he mentions that this one has four drop-tray record cradles, labeled a A through D

the one difference does seem to be the dimensions of each

1911 h 47" w 20 ¼" d 22 ¼
1912 h 47 ½" w 20 ¾" d 22 3/16"
1915 h 47 ¼" w 20 ½" d 22 ⅛"

Bruce

[BillH_NJ]

It looks very much like my De Luxe. My Grafonola has somewhat different carving at the top of the front panel near the key and by the lower doors, but you will see the same turntable. Mine, purchased from the original owner in Wilkes-Barre, PA, also had the same elbow on the tonearm but that has since been replaced with a gold-plated one. It does have the same four record cradles and drawer.

Bill

[Hyperion]

Beautiful machine! Actually, my cabinet looks more like the one pictured on the cover of your manual than yours does! How to account for the difference? Maybe yours was a deluxe Deluxe?

[BillH_NJ]

I am assuming there was just some variation in the cabinet carving and decoration over time. There is No. 12622 marked in the space between the turntable and the tonearm. The booklet was with the machine when I got it. Perhaps someone else has more insight about differences within the same model.

Bill