The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here's some photos of a Columbia BG I recently purchased from our own Uncle Vanna. I thought it would be nice to have some photos showing the backward decals before I refinish and apply new ones. I'd like opinions. Was this a factory error or was this BG ordered in this configuration? Thanks, Jerry Blais

Very cool, Jerry! Were it mine, I'd leave it as-is. There's two things you can't replace: the original finish and (much more importantly) the story of how this machine came to be this way. In any case, very neat machine!

Regards,
Martin

Most likely a factory error.

Such errors in coins or stamps tend to make the item more valuable: why not with talking machines?

Bill

I would just clean and enjoy this unique treasure.

In the 2nd, 3rd and 4th pictures you can clearly see that the motor board hinge was installed in its correct configuration onto the cabinet with the small Columbia decal on the rear and the banner decal on the front. So, one might reasonably presume that everything was correct for the cabinet during assembly at the factory until the crank hole was (apparently) drilled on the wrong side which changed everything when the works had to be installed.

Assuming that the sides of the cabinet have never been (very cleverly) removed and replaced after it was sold to an end customer for whatever reason, this surely appears to be a factory error. And rather than destroy the cabinet it was likely decided to release it as is for sale with provision of the error to the customer. I'm sure that someone in final assembly at the Columbia factory realized the error before it left the factory, again, assuming a clever owner long ago didn't swap the side panels. It would almost impossible to have this pass through many hands in final assembly at the factory without someone being alerted to the error.

Wow that's really interesting. Jasper also has a backward BG. Yours is the only other I've seen. Up to you of course but I don't think I'd refinish it. My vote would be to leave it as is. It's in very good condition and a real rarity.

Valecnik wrote:Wow that's really interesting. Jasper also has a backward BG. Yours is the only other I've seen. Up to you of course but I don't think I'd refinish it. My vote would be to leave it as is. It's in very good condition and a real rarity.

They were probably put together by the same left handed guy on the assembly line.. .

This is a nice, clean original BG, or at least it appears that way. Why would you refinish it?

Have no fears. I never intended to refinish the BG. I thought the smiley face would help but my text was not clear. I was hoping for opinions regarding the decals. Was it a factory mistake or a deliberate request. Thanks, Jerry

Jerry B. wrote:Have no fears. I never intended to refinish the BG. I thought the smiley face would help but my text was not clear. I was hoping for opinions regarding the decals. Was it a factory mistake or a deliberate request. Thanks, Jerry

Whew! Good to hear that Jer. Thought you'd slipped a cog!