The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone,
Yesterday I came across a Columbia needle packet unopened with 100 needles. I've never seen this one before. Kind of a gray color with gold printing. Due to the lack of other typical Columbia graphics I am wondering if this is an early version for disc machines. I've been collecting a long time and you always see something new to you. It came out of a collection from an old time collector.

Any knowledgeable collectors have insights?

Thank you,
D.Edwards

Darold,

I think I can give you more information that may help.

"The Columbia Disc Graphophone" is what the early Columbia catalogs referred to when advertising their disc machines. See image from a 1902/1903 catalog. below.
In that same catalog, Columbia offer a package of 100 needles in the miscellaneous supplies section. No picture, but possibly the package you have.
In a slightly later catalog, Columbia added a box of 300 needels and a two-part needle box. Again, no pictures.
However, Columbia continued to use "The Disc Graphophone" even later, when producing outside horn models at the beginning of the productions of uprights.
In this catalog, they advertise needles, but no details on packaging except to a reference of "envelop on the box"
If I were to guess, I'd say your packet was early in "The Columbia Disc Graphophone" production.

Hope that helps!!

Shawn

The fact that the contents are described simply as "needles", with no mention of loud medium or soft tones, suggest an early date.