Graphophone "C" that sold on eBAY today

[fran604g]

Hey folks,

Not mine, I just noticed this sold on eBAY for $513 plus shipping, and I don't think that is a terribly high price for a machine like this.

What are your opinions?

Also, is this a CAPP motor? It seems to look an awful lot like a Triton to me.

I'd love to hear everyones thoughts on this machine, value, rarity, observations, etc.

I saved pics for posterity.

Fran

[FloridaClay]

Howard Hazelcorn notes that the C had "a giant three spring motor that could play an hour at 120 rpm."

This example looks at bit rusty and I don't see a reproducer.

Clay

[gsphonos]

I think it's a great machine that went for a reasonable price! Very reasonable!! I wanted to bid, but I just bought a new machine a couple of weeks ago. I've got to space things out! I had an opportunity to buy one of these machines from a friend years ago. I was told it was used as a business machine for dictation cylinders or for home use on any standard cylinders. My friend played regular 2 min wax cylinders on it for me. It just didn't look right to me at the time, and I didn't buy it. Ever since, I wish I had! That is a great motor that is capable of playing a lot of cylinders! I didn't have my Hazelcorn book at that time--otherwise it would be in my collection! Hope it went to a good home, and I am glad that this machine wasn't broken up to sell individual parts as that particular ebay seller is known to do.

Mike Sorter

[phonogfp]

Also, is this a CAPP motor? It seems to look an awful lot like a Triton to me.

Nope - - not a Capps (or "Triton") motor, as Edison had purchased the rights to that design.

This 3-spring Columbia motor made its debut on the Type C and was used in slightly modified form to power the 1905-1909 BC. The Type C appeared in August/September 1897, and perhaps not-so-coincidentally resembles the aluminum 3-spring motor that had been offered by the Chicago Talking Machine Company until Columbia bought the firm August 1, 1897.

I had a Type C many years ago, but sold it to finance another machine. I've always liked them. The eBay example is an early one - - note the "PATENTED" on the decal rather than the patent dates usually seen.

I agree that the machine went very reasonably, but the frozen carriage probably scared off some buyers. I'd have bought it in a moment if it was at a show for that price, but the shipping scares me (including the price!).

George P.

[fran604g]

Thanks, George.

CappS motor, sorry. Frank Capps. I must try and remember these details better.

My fascination is that motor. I'd love to see a Triton and this one side by side dismantled for comparison!

I would have loved to bid and win this machine, but now wasn't the time for me. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to examine one in depth personally someday.

Fran

[gsphonos]

I didn't see the part about the frozen carriage!

Still, a cool machine. I wonder when the business machines made by Columbia changed tpi? I have a much later dictaphone and Ediphone's that would be unable to play standard cylinders.

Mike S.

[phonogfp]

I wonder when the business machines made by Columbia changed tpi? I have a much later dictaphone and Ediphone's that would be unable to play standard cylinders.

Mike S.

In the March 2014 issue of The Antique Phonograph, there was an article describing the introduction of the 150 tpi Commercial Graphophone in November 1906. The name was changed to Dictaphone in 1908.

George P.

[Garret]

Something looks off with one of the spring barrel screws.

[FloridaClay]

Something looks off with one of the spring barrel screws.

Yep. Looks like somebody has used a bolt in some past repair.

Clay

[Lucius1958]

The eBay example is an early one - - note the "PATENTED" on the decal rather than the patent dates usually seen.


I agree that the machine went very reasonably, but the frozen carriage probably scared off some buyers.



George P.

That, plus the "Broadway & 27th St.' address, would probably date it to early 1897...

That latter detail puzzles me a bit: I had thought (judging from Hazelcorn's information) that Columbia switched over to the pot metal carriages later than this - the end of 1898 at the earliest?

Bill