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Model : S-G (Slot Grand) Graphophone
Years made : 1899 - 1901(?)
Year produced : 1900
Original Cost : $150.00 - reduced to $100.00 in 1901
Cabinet : Coin-operated curved glass oak with integral base
Cabinet Size : Height 57 inches. Width 21 ½ inches. Depth 15 inches
Cylinder Size : Grand (Columbia) Concert (Edison)
Reproducer : Grand - A floating reproducer sometimes called the "Heavy Eagle"
Shaver : None (blocked for coin-operation)
Motor : Columbia Model A, spring-motor, fitted with coin-operated components
Crank : Slip clutch for coin-operation
Horn dimensions : Length 24 inches. Width 9 ½ inches
Reproduction parts : None
Interesting facts.
In 1898, Columbia introduced a new larger cylinder with a diameter of five inches. These were marketed by Columbia as “Grand” or “G” cylinders. Grand records were short-lived, and never achieved significant market share. The cost for a Grand record was as much as 10 times the price of the “P” standard-size record and they were challenging to store. The introduction of molded cylinders in 1902 significantly improved standard-size records volume and clarity at a much more acceptable price.
In 1899, Columbia produced a coin-operated phonograph to take advantage of the larger cylinder. The Coin-Slot Grand could be ordered with a spring-motor (S-G), battery (E-S-G), or even 110v DC mains (I-S-G). Each was housed in a very handsome floor cabinet with a distinctive curved glass lid and large sign board.
The mechanical foundation of the upper mechanism for the Columbia S-G is the Columbia Home Grand or H-G.
The mechanical foundation of the motor for the spring-motor Columbia S-G is the Columbia A. This is the same motor that was used on the coin-operated Columbia spring-motor Type N and AS. Even though it had significantly more mass to move than a Type N or AS, due to the larger mandrel, the single spring motor provided enough power to play through the cylinder and actuate all of the coin operations.
The sign board afforded an opening at the side that allowed the owner to change sign board papers.
A 24-inch horn, unique to the Columbia S-G was standard issue. This horn is configured with the distinctively Columbia internal sleeve and slip in elbow.
If you want to see and learn more, next month I'll be posting a video of this machine for How Does that Coin-operated Phonograph Work on my YouTube home page : https://www.youtube.com/user/MSOPhonograph
Shawn
