columbia grafonola info need it

[amilcar]

hi i bougth a columbia grafonola need some resto,,works but i have no idea of what model it's ,year of manufacture ,or info about it ,cabinet is more decorated compared to some models i have seen on ebay,,there's no data plate or info in the cabinet ,,,only the decal on the inside cover reads "columbia grafonola deluxe",,,somebody can provide me with some info about this particular machine,,,thanks,,

[Phonofreak]

Yes,You have a Columbia Grafonola Deluxe. This is the second version. The first version has lion's heads on it. Some of them had a Regina Music Box attachment to play either 15.5" disks or records. This was also a Reginaphone. Your machine was made between 1911-1912. What makes your machine interesting is that it has double doors on it.This was a violation of Victor's patents and they sued. Co9lumbia went to the more conventional tone leaves. Your machine sold for $200.00 back in the day.You have a very nice machine, and I hope you keep and enjoy it.
Harvey Kravitz

[Jerry B.]

I'm a bit stumped... I thought it would be easy to check Robert Baumbach's "Columbia Phonograph Companion Volume II" for your machine but it's not that easy. The first Grafonola De Luxe has lions head carving on either side of the doors and was available with the Regina music box mechanism and was introduced in 1909. The second style De Luxe has a more traditional Grafonola look with louvers over the horn to control volume. All subsequent De Luxe models have louvers. I believe only the early Grafonolas had volume control doors. This feature was changed to avoid conflicts with Victor. Yours has doors which would indicate it was quite early but I can find nothing of similar appearance in the book. Perhaps it is a early variation of the second style De Luxe. Is it possible that your Grafonola was made in Europe or for the European market? I wish I could be of more help. Jerry Blais

[Phonofreak]

Hi Jerry,
I got my information from Baumbach's book. I believe that it is an early version of the second model Deluxe. There are so many different variations of Columbia, that the books can't cover them all. New discoveries like this one are getting easier to find with the internet.
Harvey Kravitz.