MOCAPS meeting, 8 February, 2009

[solophoneman]

Since George knows all about these great Graphophones, maybe he know where I can find an original or duplicate holding screw for the 5" Mandrel. I didn't realize the AB had one until I saw Jack's last Sunday. I think Howard and other experts sometimes use as a rule of thumb 2 or 3% as the number of early phonographs or Graphophones left in existance today based on the original known production numbers. Although this may not hold true in every instance. It almost seems like every VV-IX Table Model Victor that was ever made is still out there some where.

[Amberola 1-A]

It almost seems like every VV-IX Table Model Victor that was ever made is still out there some where.

You're right Bruce! I just last night re-cycled one (w/proper matching base) to a new collector and maybe a new prospect for our group!

[phonogfp]

Since George knows all about these great Graphophones, maybe he know where I can find an original or duplicate holding screw for the 5" Mandrel. I didn't realize the AB had one until I saw Jack's last Sunday.

Bruce,
I saw your query about the mandrel screw a few days ago, but no - I don't know of any reproductions of these. There very well may be, though. I'll certainly let you know if I discover something.

George P.

[solophoneman]

Thanks George, Jack is going to email me a digital file photo of that part, and as soon as he does I will post it here so the members can see it. It is no telling what many of these long time collectors might have lurking in one of their old phono parts draws. Just could be one of these holding screws, and they never knew what machine it was taken from.

[PhonoJack]

George,

I was just reviewing some older messages here and must have missed yours concerning the Columbia AB.

What? Are you saying the Columbia AB is not as rare as estimated by Howard Hazelcorn? I'm telling Howard!
First the stock market comes crashing down, now my "investments" in phonographs are coming down too?

Concerning your Columbia AB shipping crate, if you need to make room in that beautiful upstairs phono-room or if your cellar is a bit full, I'm happy to take that AB shipping crate off your hands, you can just ship it collect to me as is, I'll call UPS or Fedex. Ship it!

Concerning your pet peeve, calling the Columbia AB by the name of its designer, Thomas Macdonald, I agree. Macdonald never seems to get credit for the entire number of machines, reproducers, and myriad devices he designed and patented at the American Graphophone Company.

According to the Routledge Guide to Music Technology, the most prolific U.S. phonograph invention/design patentees from 1877 to 1912. Top three: Thomas A. Edison, 143, Thomas H. Macdonald, 56, Eldridge R. Johnson, 54. Just for fun, some other popular names on the list include: Jonas W. Aylsworth, 38 (did so much for Tom but rarely credited) Charles Sumner Tainter, 25 Gianni Bettini, 14 Leon Douglass, 13 and at the bottom of the list John F. Ott and William W. Young each 10.

Like so many others, I too called the Columbia AB, the Macdonald. It never made sense to me that his name is associated with this then relatively low cost machine.

This reminds me of the great artist who was the first to perform "The Flying Trapeze"; he is better remembered for what he wore than his invention, the trapeze. Poor Jules Leotard. We should all learn more about Thomas H. Macdonald especially those interested in Columbia, American Graphophone and graphophones in general.

Have fun,

Jack

PhonoJack

[phonohound]

I was reading an older thread from 2009 about the Sears fancy bases for the Columbia Q Graphophone and how George P mentioned he saw it listed in a 1904 Sears catalog, but unsure of 1903.

I have a unique version of the Columbia Q, mounted to an original Sears fancy base. I dubbed it the "Transitional Q" because the phonograph itself is the 1st version Q's nickel-plated base and the motor of the 2nd version Q. What also makes this phonograph interesting is it has its own serial number block in the 659000-660000s. If you look in Howard Hazelcorn's book, you will note these Transitiional Q serial numbers are not co-mingled with versions 1 or 2.

Currently, I have found about 10 of these Qs and two of them were found on original Sears bases.

I believe these "Transisitional Qs" were sold as a way for Columbia to dispose of obsolete nickel-plated bases through Sears and by adapting the fancy base, it was also attractive to buyers. I wonder if this Transitional Q was produced in 1903 because of the left-over stock of nickel-plated bases, which would mean the fancy base could've been sold in 1903.

The link is a photo of this Transitional Q. I would also be curious to know if anyone else has one of these models and what the serial number is.

Any feedback would be helpful. Thank you.

Scott

http://webpages.charter.net/phonographs ... tional.jpg