The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings. I've always liked lidded tabletop Grafonolas, which I think of as the "Favorite," even though Columbia apparently only used that name in the decal for a short while. (Does anyone know when they stopped?) I recently picked up one that has a different type of lid than what I believe is the more common "pagoda" style lid (see last photo), and also lacks the round corner columns. Did Columbia produce both styles concurrently? If not, which one came first? Were there others?

Also: This particular new-to-me machine is missing the little knob that goes at the end of the rods that turns to open and close the louvers. Oddly, I've noticed this on a few machines of this particular style case, which makes me wonder if this is a common issue with them. Any thoughts on where I can find a replacement? And how might one be affixed to the rod?

Thanks!

I'm no Columbia expert, but from the Baumbach book I think the machine in question is a D-2, introduced in 1918 at $60. Columbia also offered it with a push cart for institutional use.

The one with round columns appears to be either a Grafonola 50, intoduced in 1915 for $50, or a Favorite, introduced in 1911, also at $50. According to the book, the 50 was a renamed version of the Favorite. Early Favorites had doors, later replaced with the more typical Columbia louvers; the picture in the book is with doors and doesn't give a sufficient view of the lid to tell whether it matches the one in your photo. The book's picture of a 50 does.

All these machines were available in either mahogany or oak.

Thanks! I feel kind of silly for not checking my Columbia book first; it was all right there.

I have sourced the missing knob, but I'm not sure how to attach it, as the shaft (as pictured) is not threaded. Any thoughts?

Glue

Have you examined it on search of any hole indicating the absence of a set screw, cotter pin or whatever fixing? No clues?