The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I noticed there have been several conversations around Columbia Eagles and Qs regarding variety, serial numbers, etc.

I have a unique version of the Columbia Q, mounted to an original Sears fancy base. I dubbed it the "Transitional Q" because the phonograph itself is the 1st version Q with the nickel-plated base and the motor of the 2nd version Q. What also makes this phonograph interesting is it has its own serial number block in the 659000-660000s. If you look in Howard Hazelcorn's Guide to Columbia Cylinder Phonoagraphs book, you will note the "Transitiional Q" model or serial numbers block do not exist. Currently, I have found about 10 of these Qs and two of them were found on original Sears bases.

I believe these "Transisitional Qs" were sold as a way for Columbia to dispose of obsolete nickel-plated bases through Sears and by adapting the fancy base, it was also attractive to buyers. I wonder if this Transitional Q was sold in 1903 because of the left-over stock of nickel-plated bases. The question would depend on when Columbia had the new 2nd model Q motors ready for production.

The link is a photo of this Transitional Q. I would also be curious to know if anyone else has one of these models and what the serial number is.

http://webpages.charter.net/phonographs ... tional.jpg


Thank you.

Scott

Anyone?

This website includes a bit of info on the columbia q along with the transitional version, I'm afraid I don't have one myself
http://phonojack.com/Columbia%20Graphophones.htm

Hi Alex;

Thanks for your website suggestion. I have read Jack's information before. It doesn't address the Transitional Q, but does distinguish between models Q1 & Q2. The Transitional Q is a combination of both models. I'm sure there are more than the 10 out there in collections, but are probably unnoticed.

Columbia had so many model variations, unlike Edison, which is why I find Graphophones so interesting.

Scott

I just picked up a Columbia Q, 2nd version, and am surprised to see serial number 685287 stamped on the motor frame. The Hazelcorn book says the serial numbers for the 2nd version start around 803157, and those for the 1st version end around 633154, so what have I got? I compared it to my other Q, serial number 9626453, and noted some differences.
#685287 has two large openings under the spring area and bumps in the casting where the support frame mounts, while the newer one has no openings or bumps on the bottom of the casting. I should mention that I this newer one has a wood base that I removed for the photo, and the older one does not have a wood base.
#685287 has a different paint job with large decorations painted on the corners, no flower in the center, and the worn label appears to have some different words than the newer one. I've seen photos of higher serial numbered Q's that have an even more plain looking paint scheme.
#685287 has an endplate exactly like my version 1 Q, with patent dates spaced all the way down the plate, while the newer one has patent dates bunched up in the upper end of the plate.
Any thoughts on these variations? Is this early version 2 model Q of any special interest?
Thanks,
Greg Farmer