Columbia Grafonola Nonpareil

[Zenger]

I came across this little upright a couple of weeks ago and don't know much about it, but I'm really intrigued by it. (I loaned out my copy of Baumbach's Columbia book a while ago and haven't seen it since.) I had heard of the Nonpareil but have never seen another one in person, and I'm looking for any information I can get about it, starting with when it would have been made and where it fit into Columbia's lineup at the time. I assume it's an early inside horn machine for them, as it has doors instead of louvers (a violation of Victor's patents?), but I don't know how early, what it sold for originally, its dimensions according to the catalog, how large the motor is, etc. Of particular concern right now is the reproducer -- it looks like it may be later than what the machine would have come with, originally -- and the tone arm, which only pivots a few degrees at present. (Pot metal? I don't know.) The turntable felt appears to be purple velvet, in which case I don't know how I would replace it. Would it have had a needle cup in the flat-bottomed (upper right) hole? And the crank is missing -- does anyone know what its specs should be? Any and all information would be most welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

[Garret]

This is a very uncommon early upright Columbia.

Garret

[Orchorsol]

Great to see, thanks!

I have a British direct equivalent of the Columbia Favorite called a Savoy, an early example with doors. It's a humble machine but a lovely noble design with some design aspects quite similar to your Nonpareil. I have it noted as 1911 or 1912 based on long-past information gleaned here on the TMF, so (as others will hopefully confirm) doors must have given way to louvres in 1912.

[Granby]

Beautiful machine! I am lucky to have that model in my collection, too. I will take a glance at it... and my book.... tonight.

If somebody else hasn't chimed in with some answers, I will follow up! Meanwhile, I will attempt to attach a photo of my Grafonola to this response.

- Chris

[dzavracky]

That is a lovely machine! I used to own one (albeit a slightly different version) which was the subject a few threads (viewtopic.php?t=58074&hilit=Columbia).

I did some digging through my camera roll and have posted a few of the photos below. The NonPareil that I had came with a 4 spring, 2 spring govenor. From what I remember the reproducer diaphragm is larger than your typical Columbia No.6 and the tonearm is longer as well. It was an incredibly loud machine with acoustic records and TBH I am sad that I ended up selling it. Might have to reach back out to the guy and make him an offer for it back .

The louvre doors on mine came broken, which is why they're not in the pictures above. But also posted below is a video of the machine once I had it all back together. I remember the tonearm on mine being pretty stiff as well, but it just needs to be taken apart, cleaned, greased, and re-assembled.

Oh also, here is a picture of the crank. From what I remember it wasn't your typical columbia crank. I think it was longer, but the threads should still be the same since the motor is exactly like other 4 spring columbia motors.

Cheers,

David

[Zenger]

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Thanks for the pictures, David. I look forward to see yours, too, Chris, and whatever information you can share from the book. And if anyone else has information or photos to share, please do!

[Granby]

Greetings! I apologize for the delay... it has been a busy few days, LOL.

My preliminary research verifies what others have mentioned or alluded to.... Columbia Grafonolas featured louvre/shutter doors in front of the internal horn from summer of 1912 and onward, so the model you have pictured definitely pre-dates that. I was aware of this but unsure of the date until I referred to my book...

The Nonpareil was introduced in 1911 and carried an original price of $150.00. My Nonpareil features the Concert Grand Reproducer but the one you pictured features [what I believe is] the Columbia No. 6 reproducer. It is my opinion that this suggests a later production model with the standard doors, just prior to the switchover to louvre/shutter doors, maybe late 1911 or early 1912. The purple turntable felt you mentioned is original. Mine has the same felt.... and it would have included a "used" needle cup, similar concept to "Victrolas."

It's a really cool machine in that it represents a short period in the production run and you probably won't see the same model in many of our fellow collectors' collections. As for me, I like to be different! Different doesn't always translate to value, but it's fun! I'll will include a picture of my tone arm with the Concert Grand reproducer.... And you're right, it doesn't pivot upwards very far.

My source:
Columbia Phonograph Companion Volume II by Robert W. Baumbach
[specifically] Pages 52, 65, 122, 123

[Granby]

And.... Each drop down record tray would have originally included an "insert" where somebody could have written the names of the records that each tray contained... a picture of mine for reference.

- Chris

[Zenger]

Thanks, Chris! That's really interesting and useful information. When you have time, could you please post a picture of the crank, and its measurements?

[Zenger]

If anyone else out there has an early-style Nonpareil and can post pictures and measurements of the crank, I would appreciate it. And if anyone should have a crank to sell, please let me know!