My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
Post Reply
flashpanblue
Victor III
Posts: 768
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:15 pm
Location: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Post by flashpanblue »

Hello,
I just thought that I would post a few pictures of my American Graphophone Model A ( Washington D.C.) with original Gutta Purcha reproducer. I bought this machine a few months ago. I got it from a collector who owned it for over thirty years. It sat in his collection just as found. He never attempted to restore it or even get it running. When I got the motor running it had a load click in it and the gear would jam up as the spring ran down a little. Turned out that the small brass gear that engages the governor had split and expanded. As they made less than 4500 of these models I was doubtful whether I would be able to find a replacement gear cluster. To make things more difficult the gear cluster from a Graphophone AT model ( which is easier to find) will not work. After trying many sources I finally had a stroke of good luck. Would you believe that George Vollema ( Great lakes Antique Phonographs) actually had the correct gear cluster sitting in a drawer. Now the motor runs good. The top bed plate had a fair bit of rust on it and I had thought of getting it re nickeled, but I promised the fellow I bought it from that I would not ruin the original finish by doing that. I ended up using diluted Brasso with a tooth brush to work out most of the rust. I then polished it with 0000 steel wool. It doesn't look too bad. I put a new Mica ( should have really been glass) diaphragm and gasket in the reproducer, fitted a leather belt and got it going. For the first time in almost 100 years it played music. What a thrill!!
I am still working on it as it will only play through about two thirds of a cylinder. Here are a few pictures.
Pete


.
Attachments
001.JPG
002.JPG
006.JPG
004.JPG
005.JPG
002 (3).JPG

mcgravy
Victor O
Posts: 86
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2012 9:29 am

Re: My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Post by mcgravy »

Nice Machine! I think the nickel looks great. I wish mine looked as good. Someone painted my bed plate black before I got it.

User avatar
edisonphonoworks
Victor IV
Posts: 1566
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 10:50 am
Personal Text: A new blank with authentic formula and spiral core!
Contact:

Re: My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Post by edisonphonoworks »

That is a nice find!!

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8005
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Post by phonogfp »

Very nice Type A. I'm quite partial to this model - - I have 6 of them, and they're all different.

Your example is the 4900th made of this model. Does it have a single or double mainsprings? Can't quite tell from the photo. The earliest Type As come both ways.

Congratulations - -

George P.

User avatar
Bill Cahill
Victor O
Posts: 72
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:26 am
Personal Text: "Honey, did you warm the baby bottle on my 75 watt hi-fi again?"
Location: Tampa Bay area, Fl.

Re: My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Post by Bill Cahill »

:D You lucky dog!
I wish I had one.
Bill Cahill

flashpanblue
Victor III
Posts: 768
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 10:15 pm
Location: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Re: My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Post by flashpanblue »

Hello,
It only has a single spring. I really like the early look of the Graphophone line of machines. Heh George, any chance that you could post some pictures of your machines. I would love to see them!!
Pete

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8005
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: My American Graphophone Model A 1896

Post by phonogfp »

flashpanblue wrote:Hello,
It only has a single spring. I really like the early look of the Graphophone line of machines. Heh George, any chance that you could post some pictures of your machines. I would love to see them!!
Pete
Sorry for the delay... Spring has really cut down on my "free" time!

I think I'm mistaken about having six of these. I hope so - - I can find only five of them! :) Sorry for the varying quality of the photos. I shot the Bettini-equipped example years ago for an article (and used it as my avatar) and so it's properly lighted and papered. Tonight I shot the other four as they sit... I must get to bed!

George P.
Attachments
This Washington, D.C. Type A Graphophone is the 867th one manufactured.  It is typical of "Washington" Type As in all respects but one.  Interestingly, it is equipped with double mainsprings.
This Washington, D.C. Type A Graphophone is the 867th one manufactured. It is typical of "Washington" Type As in all respects but one. Interestingly, it is equipped with double mainsprings.
This Type A Graphophone was sold by the Chicago Talking Machine Company, which ceased operations on August 1, 1897.  This is the 3095th Type A manufactured, and so is an early style with "Washington" decoration on its upper casting. Compare these decorations between the three "Washington" Type As in this thread and it will become obvious that they were done freehand.
This Type A Graphophone was sold by the Chicago Talking Machine Company, which ceased operations on August 1, 1897. This is the 3095th Type A manufactured, and so is an early style with "Washington" decoration on its upper casting. Compare these decorations between the three "Washington" Type As in this thread and it will become obvious that they were done freehand.
This Type A features a short-lived decal listing a Broadway & 27th Street New York City address.  This decal succeeded the Washington, D.C. decal, and was used prior to the common decal listing 3 New York addresses.  This machine sits in an exhibition cabinet which will be featured in the June 2013 issue of "The Antique Phonograph."
This Type A features a short-lived decal listing a Broadway & 27th Street New York City address. This decal succeeded the Washington, D.C. decal, and was used prior to the common decal listing 3 New York addresses. This machine sits in an exhibition cabinet which will be featured in the June 2013 issue of "The Antique Phonograph."
This Type A Graphophone is typical in every respect except for its Bettini Attachment and horn.
This Type A Graphophone is typical in every respect except for its Bettini Attachment and horn.
A very late Type A (ca. 1900) with a Sears, Roebuck ink stamp on the decal.  Interestingly, this decal reverted to an older style which omitted the patent dates.  This A is equipped with an unusual reproducer (see next image).
A very late Type A (ca. 1900) with a Sears, Roebuck ink stamp on the decal. Interestingly, this decal reverted to an older style which omitted the patent dates. This A is equipped with an unusual reproducer (see next image).
A Graphophone reproducer modified with a "Moyer Point."  This was patented September 25, 1900 (No.658,571). A seldom found accessory.
A Graphophone reproducer modified with a "Moyer Point." This was patented September 25, 1900 (No.658,571). A seldom found accessory.

Post Reply