The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This machine is coming up in my local saleroom next week, and never having owned a Columbia cylinder phonograph I would be very grateful if someone could identify the model.

http://www.tamlynscatalogues.co.uk/Cata ... t0386.html

I expect that the selling price will partly depend on the content and condition of the cylinders which accompany the machine, but I will have to wait until the preview day to examine them in detail.

BK

It's a late model BK made after 1907. Whenever you see a banner decal that says The Columbia Graphophone, or The Columbia Disc Graphophone, these were made after 1907. In the pictures I noticed some flaws. The little tabs that hold the spring barrels together are either broken or missing. The horn has a big dent by the bell. That will need some skill or a professional instrument repair man to correct it. Check the stylus of the reproducer, too. If you can get it cheap, it wouldn't be too bad. The most I would bid on this is $250.00 USD based on the condition and flaws. Good luck.
Harvey Kravitz

Thankyou gentlemen. I thought the pre-sale estimate of GBP£200-£300 a little optimistic, but we shall see......

I have a BK. I see several issues.

The springs may be questionable. They may have broken and been shortened, because the ends that come through the barrel look crudely bent. The tabs on the barrel covers appear to be there, but they are not aligned with the holes and the screws that fasten the covers are missing.

The aluminum horn appears to be a European type, like a Pathé. That style was not sold on Columbias in the US, but perhaps they were in Europe. Horns for Columbias in the US looked like a witches hat, made of aluminum, and perhaps brass/painted on some models.

Condition of the records should heavily influence what you would pay for them.