Decorated Grafonola - Look!

[Jerry B.]

Several months ago we had a thread that featured a discussion about post factory painted uprights. Here's an example of a post factory painted Grafonola that I recently purchased from OrthoSean (Thanks, I love it!). Opinions ranged from recommendations to refinish back to a factory type finish to an appreciation of the post factory decorations. It's my opinion that it would be a phono-crime to refinish this machine back to its original mahogany finish. I think it would be similar to taking an originally modified Shelby Mustang and returning it to original Ford factory specifications.
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This purchase originated from a blanket offer of $500 for any decorated upright in reasonably good condition.
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I have another $500. Any sellers?
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Jerry Blais

[estott]

That is a lovely [piece - and the angular lines of the case have a plausibly oriental look.

[Phonofreak]

Hi Jerry,
Nice machine. It would be a crime to refinish this beauty. It is so unusual.
Harvey Kravitz

[marcapra]

According to my Columbia book by Baumbach, this could be a model L-2 which came out in 1918. It looks to be missing its casters. Unlike other phonograph companies, Columbia did not attach maker plates saying what model it is. The furniture style is Sheraton. It could also be a 400 series New Columbia which came out in 1924 as they seem to have recycled their cabinets. If it has a secret record compartment in the back and has a New Columbia reproducer, I would say it's a New Columbia. You can tell if it has the New Columbia reproducer if it has four screws surrounding the diaphragm. I agree with you. Leave the vintage work of the artisan. It makes your Columbia unique!

[OrthoSean]

It is an L-2 and it does have casters (Jerry may have them off for cleaning or something).

I don't think Jerry would mind my sharing the history behind this machine. I bought this in 1991 or early 1992 from a couple in their 90s that were selling their house and moving to an assisted living facility. This machine was given to them as a wedding gift from the Bride's parents when they were married in 1919. It had been in the same house in Schenectady NY since they bought the house in 1920 and they'd been married for 72 years. I had this machine in my house for many years until I found a factory painted VV-130. I'm delighted that it came out of storage and found a new home across the country.

Enjoy it, Jerry!

Sean

[Jerry B.]

I received a message asking the best way to determine whether a machine was factory or post factory decorated. The best clues lie under the lid. To the best of my knowledge all factor decorated machines were painted under the lid and the manufacture decal was applied over the paint. Most, but not all, post factory decorators left the area under the lid "as is". In the case of this machine, look at the photo of the area under the lid. It is factory mahogany. Sometimes the area under the lid was also painted. The decal is still the clue. It is difficult to do a perfect job when painting up to the decal. Even if it appears perfect, check the area inside enclosed letters in the decal. For example, the letter "o" in the word Victor or Columbia has an enclosed area. If you see natural wood inside this area on an otherwise painted machine, you are probably looking at a post factory paint job. Jerry

[Tinkerbell]

Several months ago we had a thread that featured a discussion about post factory painted uprights. Here's an example of a post factory painted Grafonola that I recently purchased from OrthoSean (Thanks, I love it!). Opinions ranged from recommendations to refinish back to a factory type finish to an appreciation of the post factory decorations. It's my opinion that it would be a phono-crime to refinish this machine back to its original mahogany finish. I think it would be similar to taking an originally modified Shelby Mustang and returning it to original Ford factory specifications.
*
This purchase originated from a blanket offer of $500 for any decorated upright in reasonably good condition.
*
I have another $500. Any sellers?
*
Jerry Blais

It's beautiful, and I would think so whether it was an pre or after market paint job.

Now, I'd better dig out and get busy on painting one of my phonographs... I could use your $500!

[phonogal]

I like it and think it was very tastefully done. I found a nice oriental cabinet at a sale several years back and considered buying it even though it was just the cabinet. I know some find the painted pieces gaudy and to those I say, "You can drop them off at my house."