The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I agree - please keep the photos coming. I'm enjoying all the different phonospaces.

George P.

Is that a Columbia Grand tucked in next to the Opera?
I'd love to see some pictures of it.
Thanks to both of you for posting!
Gene

Gene,

The phonograph next to the Opera is a 1908 Columbia BC Graphophone.
In fact it is the "actual" BC from the former Ernie Bennett collection, Higham reproducer restored by Reid Welch in 1984, and highlighted on pages 74,75, & 145 in the Eric Reiss book "The Compleat Talking Machine".

I was extremely fortunate to aquire this machine in 2012 via some "horse trading" with Raphael Cole of Musical Treasures of Miami. It is an amazing machine producing the greatest volume of sound of any 2min. machine that I have ever heard!

I have been meaning to put together a video of this machine playing, but I just haven't gotten round to it. Reid Welch posted this video in 2008, which shows off this machine in all it's glory. (You may notice that he incorrectly identifies this machine as a 1905 BC, but the black carriage was actually introduced in 1908).

Enjoy, Bob S.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9PYd_29PhU[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPUoI32SGDM[/youtube]

Well I was going to haunt George's attic when I passed to the other side but it looks like I'll need to split up my eternity at several of you folk's houses! Absolutely the things my dreams are made of! Hailey, your place would take days to catch everything you have packed in there!

Bob,
What a wonderful machine with a great pedigree.
Did Reid rebuild the Higham reproducer?
The machine sounds fantastic in the video.
Do you have George Paul's article on the BC in a past edition of the
Sound Box?
If not, send me your address in a PM and I'll mail you the entire journal.
Thanks for sharing the video!
Gene

NOW, KEEP THE PHOTOS COMING.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU HAVE ONE MACHINE OR ONE THOUSAND AND ONE!
THIS IS A GREAT THREAD!!!!
GENE

Opps,
Missed the bottom video showing the reproducer rebuild of Bob's 20th century.
Very interesting!
Gene

Here's a few pics of my Triumph "A" with 2/4 minute attachment,Oak Music Master horn.
Cabinet is the early style with sharp corners.Elbow on the horn is a reproduction from Dwayne Wyatt.

A few views of my (very) cramped attic phonograph room.
Since these photos were taken they have spread, out of control, across the floor!

clevelander....
You have a beautiful collection...
I'm very curious about the sound qualities of your HMV Lumiere machine...
How is it different or similar from a conventional reproducer?
Your thoughts?

Dave,
The Lumiere machine has a surprisingly good, mellow tone with good volume. There are a couple of good videos on Youtube
They were intoduced too late, just as electrical recrding was being introduced, which negated the slight tonal advantage they had over conventional gramophones.
The propensity to damage and their cost meant very few were sold, and The Gramophone Company withdrew them re-using the remaining cases for more conventional models.

Everyone has beautiful machines.
Once you're pricked with a needle, there is no stopping the collection infection!