The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a question about the early Columbia AH Graphophone with the off center crank and record hold down. Was the crank slotted like the Columbia Top Wind AJ? Also, did the winding shaft revolve backwards like the Top Wind AJ? Both of those machines came out in 1901 according to the Columbia Graphophone Companion Volume II. I have the second model AH with the fancy case and more conventional Columbia motor. One of these days, I'd love to get the very early AH.
Harvey Kravitz

Hi Harvey, The earliest model Columbia AH with off center crank hole has an interesting deeply recessed threaded crank. The crank does not revolve when unwinding as the top wind Columbia AJ does. The early AH has a nicely designed early motor with lots of gears turning. And the motor when running makes that nice (and unique) early Columbia Graphophone multi-spring motor sound. Some may find that sound annoying but not me! It's simply telling us "I'm an early designed motor so appreciate me for that".

Best,
Doug

Doug's right - those very early AH Disc Graphophones are wonderful. Like several early Disc Graphophones, the motors went through rapid changes, and there are 2 or 3 slight motor variations just within the earliest model with the record clamp. The 10" turntables are aluminum in these early production examples. The earliest AH was for a short time the finest American talking machine manufactured, until Victor introduced the "MS."

George P.

Thank for the help, George and Doug. I appreciate that.
Harvey Kravitz