Columbia AJ horn question

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
Phonotom
Victor II
Posts: 303
Joined: Sat Apr 18, 2020 5:18 pm
Personal Text: phonograph collector
Location: Iowa

Columbia AJ horn question

Post by Phonotom »

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has information on this Columbia horn? It fits perfectly on a AJ. You can see the wear where the cradle rested on the horn. Any info would be appreciated. I hope the pictures attached. I am new at this. Tom
Attachments
columbia aj.png
AJ.png

User avatar
Phono-Phan
Victor V
Posts: 2814
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:38 pm
Location: Plover, WI

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by Phono-Phan »

That is a very nice and ,I believe, rare horn. Not sure if it is a Columbia product though. I am sure there will be a more knowledgeable person respond whether or not it is a Columbia model horn.

User avatar
startgroove
Victor III
Posts: 887
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:01 pm
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by startgroove »

In agreement with that. My first impression is that it is a Standard X horn, but upon seeing the side view, it has a distinctly different shape to the large opening. That shape sort of goes against the thinking back then that the best design for a horn was a tapering shape terminating in a flare.

It would seem like the shape of this horn would narrow the sound dispersion to smaller section, perhaps increasing the volume some.

Jerry B.
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8732
Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:25 am
Personal Text: Stop for a visit when in Oregon.
Location: Albany, Oregon

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by Jerry B. »

Ken and Russie are correct. I saw a horn like that at Union many years ago. I admired it then and I think you're a lucky fellow. Don't change a thing! :D

Jerry Blais

JerryVan
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6595
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:08 pm
Location: Southeast MI

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by JerryVan »

I believe it's a Standard X horn that was offered briefly in the Sears catalog. I bid on a Standard X on eBay about 6 months ago that had this very same horn. I believe bidding got up around $2000, and it was NOT because a Standard X is a valuable machine all by itself. A VERY rare horn! Treasure it! Beside the one I saw on eBay, I know of only one other... and now yours of course.

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8088
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by phonogfp »

Actually, it's the short-lived "Tulip" horn, manufactured by the New Jersey Horn Manufacturing Company. The first ad in The Talking Machine World appeared in July 1907.

George P.
Tulip.jpg

User avatar
Phono-Phan
Victor V
Posts: 2814
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:38 pm
Location: Plover, WI

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by Phono-Phan »

Thanks for posting that ad George. I figured you would chime in on this rare horn.

JerryVan
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6595
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:08 pm
Location: Southeast MI

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by JerryVan »

I could swear to seeing a Sears catalog ad with a Standard X & that horn. Anybody else??

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 8088
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by phonogfp »

JerryVan wrote:I could swear to seeing a Sears catalog ad with a Standard X & that horn. Anybody else??
I've seen a machine very similar to a Standard X equipped with the "Tulip" horn, but marked "Union" with a red, white, and blue shield. It was sold by another catalog house, but I can't recall at the moment. I'll sleep on it... ;)

George P.

Dave D
Victor IV
Posts: 1309
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2012 8:43 pm
Location: Port Huron, MI

Re: Columbia AJ horn question

Post by Dave D »

phonogfp wrote:
JerryVan wrote:I could swear to seeing a Sears catalog ad with a Standard X & that horn. Anybody else??
I've seen a machine very similar to a Standard X equipped with the "Tulip" horn, but marked "Union" with a red, white, and blue shield. It was sold by another catalog house, but I can't recall at the moment. I'll sleep on it... ;)

George P.
I have a Union model, just like a Standard X but with the normal spindle. It has a horn like on a Standard X.
Dave

Post Reply