The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi Folks,

I am fledgling collector. I inherited a Victrola VV50 portable, and was given a very nice but non-working Victrola Credenza model for helping a friend move. That one is a project.

Recently a neighbor offered this Columbia Grafonola Non Pareil for sale. I have not been able to find out much about them on-line. I believe it was made in 1911. I can't find much about value. The finish is poor, the cabinet is gouged and scratched and parts are damaged. the table will not spin. I tried cranking it but it would not turn easily and I didn't want to force it- I think someone has over-wound it already.

The neighbor seems to think it's gold-plated, however. Does anyone know if this machine would be worth fixing? Are parts even available? What would be a fair offer price, given the state of the machine?

Any info, help, or advice is appreciated!

That is an early hunk of Grafonola... probably pre-1913 ?

The first crop of internal-horn Columbias had doors over the horn, similar to Victrola, and I'm sure infringing on Victor patents...

By 1912-13, Columbia switched to their trademark "Tone-Louvre" shutters.

I see a fair amount of scratches and gouges in the finish, but it does not appear to be badly alligatored ? If so, this finish is probably restorable.

The reproducer in the pictures is a Columbia "New Style", which was introduce around 1924, so that has been updated. Looks like the taper-tube tone-arm is original, though...

The metal parts are probably nickel plated; Columbia was not as liberal with gold-plating as Victor was...

The motor MAY be just really gunked-up. The little knob outside the speed control quadrant is the brake... does the platter turn by hand ? ( don't force it... ).

Parts are available; the motors are fairly decent; depending on how many spring-barrels are in this motor would help identify the model.

IF all the cabinet joints are tight, and no veneer is chipped or lifting, this machine might be worth $100 as-is ( wrong reproducer, not running, front popped-off one of the bins, finish issues ). I guess this is a conservative estimate ?

This model is probably more desirable than later Nonpareils, given the combination of early features: raised motor-board, tone-doors, index cards / frames on the tip-out bins...

The correct reproducer generally runs in the vicinity of $50-$75; if the motor is shot, those turn-up too, running from $25 - $100.

Try not to pay more than $100 for it; start-out maybe around $75...

Thank you Frank!

I've made an offer and we'll see what happens. If he is happy with that I'm sure I will be back with more questions.