Columbia Machine Question

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billbossus
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Columbia Machine Question

Post by billbossus »

I have an opportunity to purchase this machine. So before I travel to examine it, I'd like to know if this is an actual Columbia phonograph or fantasy. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you
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drh
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by drh »

After consulting the Baumbach book to double check, I'm pretty sure it's a fake. No machine there had glass sides. The back bracket looks wrong. If the crank is actually engaged with the winding shaft, that can't be right for any genuine machine. Etc., etc.

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epigramophone
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by epigramophone »

No Columbia of this period would have had a tapering gooseneck tonearm, for which Victor held the patent.

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jamiegramo
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by jamiegramo »

Yes definitely a fantasy or fake and certainly a frankenphone.
Jamie

billbossus
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by billbossus »

Thanks alot gentlemen.

billbossus
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by billbossus »

Thanks alot gentlemen.

JerryVan
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by JerryVan »

It's a made-up thing. However, I am very curious about the black base piece of the cabinet. It very much resembles an accessory base for a Columbia Q. If it were to be one of those, and if it were an original piece, it could be fairly valuable.

EDIT: Upon looking up an image of such a base, it does not match the shape of the one in this example. Oh well...

edisonplayer
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by edisonplayer »

It's definitely a FAKE!! edisonplayer.

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jamiegramo
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by jamiegramo »

JerryVan wrote: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:29 am It's a made-up thing. However, I am very curious about the black base piece of the cabinet. It very much resembles an accessory base for a Columbia Q. If it were to be one of those, and if it were an original piece, it could be fairly valuable.

EDIT: Upon looking up an image of such a base, it does not match the shape of the one in this example. Oh well...
Interesting I wondered the same as the base looks very similar to the bottom of the French Le Menestrel phonograph. I think it’s likely to be a sewing machine base.
Jamie

JerryVan
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Re: Columbia Machine Question

Post by JerryVan »

jamiegramo wrote: Sat Feb 14, 2026 1:38 pm
JerryVan wrote: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:29 am It's a made-up thing. However, I am very curious about the black base piece of the cabinet. It very much resembles an accessory base for a Columbia Q. If it were to be one of those, and if it were an original piece, it could be fairly valuable.

EDIT: Upon looking up an image of such a base, it does not match the shape of the one in this example. Oh well...
Interesting I wondered the same as the base looks very similar to the bottom of the French Le Menestrel phonograph. I think it’s likely to be a sewing machine base.
Excellent thought!

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