Mystery cylinder phonograph

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Zenger
Victor II
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:50 pm

Mystery cylinder phonograph

Post by Zenger »

Greetings, everyone. A friend came upon this machine at an antique mall and asked me if I would be interested in having him buy it and ship it to me. At first glance it appears to be a Columbia -- the upper works look like my Graphophone AA, and the crank knob looks like a Columbia -- but the case clearly isn't a Columbia case (it has no decal), the rest of the crank looks odd, and I don't know what to make of the reproducer. (I'm afraid I don't have any measurements to share at this point.) Can anyone out there tell me anything about it? Thanks in advance.
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JerryVan
Victor Monarch Special
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Re: Mystery cylinder phonograph

Post by JerryVan »

It's essentially a Columbia BV, but sold as "client machine", hence no decal, but otherwise identical. I believe they were sold by Sears under the Oxford name. The cabinet is correct and made by Columbia. The reproducer is made directly into the carriage. In other words, not removeable. The crank is correct. These machines often have springs that come disconnected from the winding shaft due to a poor design. This one appears to be wound in the photos, so not an issue here, apparently. All in all, this is a nice looking, correct machine. Depending upon price, it could be a nice addition.

VanEpsFan1914
Victor VI
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Personal Text: I've got both kinds of music--classical & rag-time.
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Re: Mystery cylinder phonograph

Post by VanEpsFan1914 »

Absolutely a little Oxford.

These are one of my favorite styles of small cylinder machine.

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DanP58
Victor II
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Location: Hasbrouck Heights NJ

Re: Mystery cylinder phonograph

Post by DanP58 »

That looks just like one in the Live Auction, selling now.

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Curt A
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Re: Mystery cylinder phonograph

Post by Curt A »

What's the asking price?
"The phonograph† is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.

"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife

Nipper The Cat
Victor Jr
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Re: Mystery cylinder phonograph

Post by Nipper The Cat »

Name probably suggested by two streets in Chicago. Harvard was a boundary street of the enormous Sears warehouse.

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