The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Menophanes wrote:Here are some images of what I believe to be an early (c. 1903) Columbia Disc Graphophone pedestal. I am sorry they are no clearer; unfortunately the unit is crammed in between other items of furniture which I cannot move. Built of dark mahogany, it has three shelves, each of which holds forty ten-inch records by means of baize-lined slots above and below. I argue its early date from the fact that it makes no provision for twelve-inch records. As for the possible Columbia connection, this is based on an illustration in V. K. Chew's little book showing early Disc Graphophone cabinets, one of which has around its base exactly the same 'egg-and-tongue' moulding as that seen on the base of my item.

I bought this piece in a north London antique-shop about fifty years ago. It came with a few records, mostly popular items of the 1910s, and I think most of them are still there now, so that they have been on the same shelves (though perhaps not in exactly the same slots) for a century or more. The remaining contents were chosen to be as near as possible to the date of the unit itself.

Oliver Mundy.

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Gramtastic wrote:£120 from Gumtree !)

Menophanes wrote:Here are some images of what I believe to be an early (c. 1903) Columbia Disc Graphophone pedestal. I am sorry they are no clearer; unfortunately the unit is crammed in between other items of furniture which I cannot move. Built of eiencdark mahogany, it has three shelves, each of which holds forty ten-inch records by means of baize-lined slots above and below. I argue its early date from the fact that it makes no provision for twelve-inch records. As for the possible Columbia connection, this is based on an illustration in V. K. Chew's little book showing early Disc Graphophone cabinets, one of which has around its base exactly the same 'egg-and-tongue' moulding as that seen on the base of my item.

I bought this piece in a north London antique-shop about fifty years ago. It came with a few records, mostly popular items of the 1910s, and I think most of them are still there now, so that they have been on the same shelves (though perhaps not in exactly the same slots) for a century or more. The remaining contents were chosen to be as near as possible to the date of the unit itself.

Oliver Mundy.

Viva-voce wrote:Mine is actually a sheet music cabinet of a similar vintage as my 1908 Victor IV I got from Jerry B. two years ago--thanks again Jerry
I fell in love with it when I saw it in an antique store in the late 1980's.

fran604g wrote:

Viva-voce wrote:Mine is actually a sheet music cabinet of a similar vintage as my 1908 Victor IV I got from Jerry B. two years ago--thanks again Jerry
I fell in love with it when I saw it in an antique store in the late 1980's.

That's a stunning combination! I can't help but think of the gorgeous cabinet Brandon (HisMastersVoice) still had listed in the Yankee Trader recently (viewtopic.php?f=9&t=40265) - and how I can't believe it hasn't sold. If I actually owned a mahogany disc machine, I'd snatch it up in a New York Minute.

Best,
Fran

fran604g wrote:

Viva-voce wrote:Mine is actually a sheet music cabinet of a similar vintage as my 1908 Victor IV I got from Jerry B. two years ago--thanks again Jerry
I fell in love with it when I saw it in an antique store in the late 1980's.

That's a stunning combination! I can't help but think of the gorgeous cabinet Brandon (HisMastersVoice) still had listed in the Yankee Trader recently (viewtopic.php?f=9&t=40265) - and how I can't believe it hasn't sold. If I actually owned a mahogany disc machine, I'd snatch it up in a New York Minute.

Best,
Fran