The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Came across a very ornate Columbia phonograph, only have pictures. What model is this?

Thanks! Cliff

It is the 1922 Columbia "Purchase It Now"

Seriously though, I am not sure of the model, but the tonearm looks incorrect. Beautiful cabinet! Special order?

-Connor

Looks a bit like an art model based on the Mignon, but the tonearm sure looks weird. I like the cabinet.
Andreas

The tonearm looks one of the many off-brand types sold in the late 1920s to third party manufacturers of Orthophonic Clones--definitely not a Viva-Tonal arm. I can't see the sound box well enough to identify it.

As for the Edison Diamond Disc on the turntable about to be ruined by the steel needle -- -- I hope it's not a copy of Kansas City Kitty!

OrthoFan

I think the Columbia is a British version. These were made around 1929. The cabinet looks like a typical late 20's because of the barley twists and Jacobean features. The clues I see is the brown turntable felt, and the later style bedplate. I'm not sure about the arm, and can't see the front of the reproducer. If I can see the bedplate with the turntable removed, that would be a help. Also, if there is a decal on the inside of the lid. Some of these machines have data plates, too. Outwardly, they are similar to American machines, but much different in hardware.
Harvey Kravitz

I going to try to get more pictures. This is a cool looking machine!

Phonofreak wrote:I think the Columbia is a British version. These were made around 1929. The cabinet looks like a typical late 20's because of the barley twists and Jacobean features. The clues I see is the brown turntable felt, and the later style bedplate. I'm not sure about the arm, and can't see the front of the reproducer. If I can see the bedplate with the turntable removed, that would be a help. Also, if there is a decal on the inside of the lid. Some of these machines have data plates, too. Outwardly, they are similar to American machines, but much different in hardware.
Harvey Kravitz

Yes it is a British Jacobean Style Model No.28a, as illustrated in the 1925 Columbia catalogue :

epigramophone wrote:...

Yes it is a British Jacobean Style Model No.28a, as illustrated in the 1925 Columbia catalogue :

That's fantastic! Would that have been early or late 1925. If early, it would predate the "new process" electrical records and the British version of the Viva-Tonal.

I was curious, because they described the tonearm with a "sound tight joint," though from what I see online, the Columbia No. 7 sound box looks like it's from the pre-electrical recording era:
(From-- http://www.ebay.ie/itm/282264758908 )

OrthoFan

Thanks for all the help! A 1925 British made Columbia 'Jacobean' with 'repeater' and No.7 sound box.

Cool!

Am I correct assuming the 'repeater' plays the same record over again?

Cliff

Here is an illustration of the "Repeater" from the same 1925 catalogue. At this time UK Columbia were still using a one piece tonearm, and the No.7 soundbox was designed to rotate upwards through 180 degrees for needle changing. Unfortunately in old age the soundbox is often seized onto the tonearm, which may explain why the example pictured has a non-Columbia replacement.

From period advertisements it appears that UK Columbia did not adopt the term "Viva-Tonal" until 1926, and it was not until 1928/9 that they introduced a gooseneck tonearm, the "Plano-Reflex" design.