The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've got a parts machine for sale and one complete (for comparison). I've never seen one of these very small machines before, but I found 2 in the same month. No markings or labels, but definitly a Columbia product. It has a 2 spring AK motor, original crank, original horn, repo reproducer and elbow and a "restored" original 7" pot metal turntable, that I'll throw in. All that is needed is the tone arm and support (which are shown), both available from phonograph.org. Thanks. Bob.

I'll also be listing a few other items. A very nice Columbia Q, brass Ortho reproducer, Pathé reproducer for specific use on a Victor tone arm, and a few other odds and ends before I put these on ebay. Thanks for looking, Bob

Someone said this was an Oxford. Made by Columbia for Sears. This makes sense, There are 7" Oxford records.

Bob,
What you have is a Harvard No.1 or the Baby Harvard. It sold for $8.75. If you have the reproduction 1909 Sears catalog, there are pictures showing the Harvard machines. You are right, they are Columbia products. Also, there are 7" Harvard records.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks for the input Harvey. It's a small, plain little machine, smaller even than the Standard X. Unusual to find a 2 spring motor in one this tiny.

Bob,
My machine has a one spring motor. The case is 10" square and the height is 5". The motor board is held on by 4 screws. Can you post a picture of the motor?
Harvey Kravitz

Harvey...your spot-on, it is a one spring motor...thanks for catching my mistake. When you get old, your memory is the second thing to go.
Anyway, heres the motor. Sounds like it's just like yours.
Bob

Hi Bob,
It's exactly like mine. These Baby Harvards don't turn up very often. they are cute machines.
Harvey Kravitz

Just a stupid question for my ongoing education: I thought that Harvard machines had the Harvard logo either on the case or cast into the metal support arm? Or did they make unmarked machines as well?
Thanks
Andreas

Andreas,
You are correct. Most of the Harvards had their name embossed on the arms. In the replica Sears catalog of 1909, it shows the baby Harvard. If it weren't for that catalog, I would have never known it to be a Harvard.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks Harvey.
I second that request from another thread: would it be possible for everyone who has Sears catalogs from the 1900s, 1910, 1920s to scan and post the few phonograph related pages here? Since Sears does not have an archive, this would be a great resource for all collectors.
Thanks
Andreas