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eBay Item #322005944122

This looks like a custom Higham-equipped type A? The topworks decal looks too good to be true, considering the banner decal has been obscured by what looks like somewhat convincingly contemporary cabinet upgrading.

The dataplate reads Type "A" but it looks like there's a hint of something else along side it. A Higham AT? Who knows where the seller got BK from.

-Jake

My usual disclaimer: "Just because I've never seen something doesn't mean it's phony."

That said, the cabinet is clearly home made using pieces from an A or AT cabinet. The decal dates no later than 1899-1900 and the Higham wasn't in production until 1905. The carriage is from an A, but with the Higham somehow grafted onto it. I cannot figure out the upper casting. At first I thought someone cut down a BC casting, but the mounts are different. It's not an A/AT casting either.

I wish the photos were good enough to read the data plate, but I'm betting the serial number fits right into the A/AT block.

My belief is that this is a talented melding of at least two; possibly three different machines.

I won't comment on the "Graphophone" lettering on the upper casting...

George P.

I know personally it's easy, if not awfully fun, to jump to conclusions, but I just took a look at photos of BC's and BM's and the reproducer on this machine is different where the carriage tube meets the Higham body. If that is a mashup of an A carriage tube and a Higham then whoever did it was a skilled metalworker.

Also, maybe I am crazy, or just woefully inexperienced, but that Graphophone decal on the casting looks awfully familiar, I just can't picture where I've seen it.

-Jake

I did a little of enhancing to the right side up image of the data plate and there appears to be a truncated slanted right leg of an "A" to the right of the full letter "A." At first I thought it might be a "1" but then noticed the slant. Waiting to hear back from the seller to see if he can get us a clearer image of the data plate.

-Jake

Here's a side-by-side comparison between this new Higham with the BM and BC respectively. Notice how the reproducer casting on the new Higham machine is much different than the BM and BC, and is designed to fit with the Type A style carriage tube.

There is also a noticeable plateau surrounding the reproducer throat opening, much like a standard-body Edison cylinder phonograph reproducer. Below are additional photos of the back of the new Higham's reproducer that further displays the casting design.

-Jake

Back and side views of the new Higham.

-Jake