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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!

This is a very uncommon early upright Columbia.

Garret

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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?

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!