Found on Craigslist...

[rt71486]

I just joined the forum and I am looking forward to the newfound wisdom I'm sure it holds!!

I found this on Craigslist and could not resist for $50. It's a Cheney Talking Machine. I've included a couple of pictures of the item as well as a plate located on the back. I'm hoping that someone can enlighten me on what the numbers mean.

In the next group of pictures, the same person I bought the floor model from decided to give me this table model. The only thing I know about it is that it's a Columbia Grafanola. After much research on Google, I've come to the conclusion that it's difficult to ID a Columbia due to peoples contradicting opinions. Help?

[1923VictorFan]

Hmmmmm, very curious. They both look to be SUPER clean and for $50 how can you go wrong? I like the clean lines and attractive wood grain. The only thing about it that strikes me as...not quite right are the ID/Patent Plates. They don't look old to me. But I'm also a beginner. There are lots of VERY knowledgeable folks here so someone should be able to give you some good info about what you have. Congrats on your very clean, attractive and very interesting machines!

[rt71486]

Thank you very much!! I think they are absolutley beautiful. I just wish I knew what it is that I have

[brianu]

Thank you very much!! I think they are absolutley beautiful. I just wish I knew what it is that I have

what do you mean? you've identified them yourself. you have a decent cheney upright (which appears to be oak - it's difficult to tell due to the quality of the photo) and a fairly common columbia table model that appears to have been refinished (mahogany). neither machine is particularly rare or "valuable" in a monetary sense, but for 50 bucks, you got a really good buy, assuming they're both functional.

[rt71486]

Thank you very much!! I think they are absolutley beautiful. I just wish I knew what it is that I have

what do you mean? you've identified them yourself. you have a decent cheney upright (which appears to be oak - it's difficult to tell due to the quality of the photo) and a fairly common columbia table model that appears to have been refinished (mahogany). neither machine is particularly rare or "valuable" in a monetary sense, but for 50 bucks, you got a really good buy, assuming they're both functional.

Yes, they are both functional. The floor model doesn't seen to be missing any pieces, but the smaller one is missing one of the (cups?) is the back left corner. I'm mainly just wondering what model the Columbia one is. I'm not planning on selling either one of them so the monetary value is meaningless to me. It is strictly curiosity at this point.

[gramophoneshane]

I dont have a lot of Cheney experience, but I would say "4" is the model number, and 17888 is the serial number.
Cheney was one of the better known & successful off-brand phonograph companies, and from the few I've seen, they are quite a good quality machine with well made cabinets & reliable motors.
It also appears to be one of their earlier models judging by the patent plaques, and with a little bit of patience, you might even find the patent information for the cabinet design on google patents.
Actually, I think this particular cabinet is a very handsome design, and it appears to be in great condition too. IMO you've done very well.
Did you get a spare reproducer with the machine?
Most Cheney'a I've seen had 2 reproducers- one for lateral records & the other for verticals such as Pathés & Edisons. Even without the vertical reproducer, I think $50 was a steal.

[brianu]

the columbia looks like a D-2. earlier versions of this sort of table model were known as the favorite and had a pair of doors (instead of louvers) in front of the horn opening, but the victor talking machine company controlled many phono-related patents at the time, including one for those volume-adjusting doors, and the threat of legal liability prompted the design change.

those needle cups are easy enough to find, and shouldn't cost more than $5 or so on ebay.

[rt71486]

I dont have a lot of Cheney experience, but I would say "4" is the model number, and 17888 is the serial number.
Cheney was one of the better known & successful off-brand phonograph companies, and from the few I've seen, they are quite a good quality machine with well made cabinets & reliable motors.
It also appears to be one of their earlier models judging by the patent plaques, and with a little bit of patience, you might even find the patent information for the cabinet design on google patents.
Actually, I think this particular cabinet is a very handsome design, and it appears to be in great condition too. IMO you've done very well.
Did you get a spare reproducer with the machine?
Most Cheney'a I've seen had 2 reproducers- one for lateral records & the other for verticals such as Pathés & Edisons. Even without the vertical reproducer, I think $50 was a steal.

Thank you very much. It did not come with any spare parts though. What you see is what I got.

[OrthoFan]

I've come to the conclusion that it's difficult to ID a Columbia due to peoples contradicting opinions....

The reason that Columbia Grafonolas are so hard to identify is that the company produced a number of models that were very similar in design, but unlike other manufacturers--notably, Victor--did not put comprehensive ID plates or labels on their cabinets showing the serial number, model number or date of manufacture.

I agree with Brian that your model does look like a D-2. In his book, The Columbia Phonograph Companion, Vol. II, Robert Baumbach lists the dimensions of most of the models he profiles. If possible, take some measurements of the cabinet -- height, length, width -- and post them. That might help identify it.

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As for the Cheney, if you're internet savvy, you've probably already spotted these, but just in case you haven't....

Cheney owners manual -- http://www.nipperhead.com/old/cheney.htm (Click on the thumbnail images to make them full size for viewing/printing.)

The Cheney Talking Machine, by RJ Wakeman -- http://www.gracyk.com/cheney.shtml


The cabinet you have appears to be the William and Mary style, as seen in this ad --

Cheney WM & Mary.JPG (35.25 KiB) Viewed 4649 times

Full AD SEE -- http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Cp ... hine&hl=en



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HTH,
OF

[rt71486]

The previous owner had given me a printed form of that same owners manual, and I've read that write up on the other link. I haven't seen the ad you posted until just now, thank you very much for sharing!!