Columbia Type S Coin Operated Graphophone Phonograph. Proud Addition
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2025 9:42 am
Hello all.
I have been a member for a little while, but have mostly sat back and enjoyed the fantastic information and machines posted here. However, on this occasion I am incredibly proud to add this beautiful machine to my collection, which is something which I have wanted to own for all of my collecting life.
This delightful machine is a rare Columbia Type S coin operated Graphopone phonograph. I understand that a few of these have been posted before, but as with many coin operated machines are still quite rare, regardless of condition. I apologise for any errors in my assessment here, so wholeheartedly look forward to any corrections or comments. As far as I understand it, the earlier machines still had Type S on them, rather than AS, so likely date to shortly after this model was introduced in 1898. This particular example was manufactured at New York, rather than Washington D.C., and the oak case has the address of 1155, 1157 and 1159 Broadway New York. The serial number is 207221. I would absolutely love to know whether the combination of factors, such as the decal, serial number etc can pin down a more secure date (perhaps within a couple months within 1898).
This particular example has been factory modified for use in Canada, and only accepts silver Canadian 5 cent pieces. According to the seller this example was used in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, perhaps in a saloon, hotel or other public establishment there (I know so little about Wolfville, so if anybody knows about its history or public buildings I'd be interested to know, as it would be fantastic to know what building it was in). After becoming obsolete, it had some parts stripped and then put away into storage. It came to me still covered in cobwebs and dirt, with the seller confirming that he had had it in his own attic after purchasing it over 20 years ago. I am extremely relieved that he was able to ship this to me. I am based in the UK, and understandably most sellers wouldn't dream of shipping this across the Atlantic due to the fragility. Fortunately it arrived safely, and with the glass intact. I really like that this is Canadian used example, as I'm a historian that loves British history; Canada in 1898 was still part of the British Empire, so it is great to be able to use coins with Queen Victoria/Edward VII etc... on them for this machine.
Anyway, on to the machine itself. It is not complete, though fortunately many of the coin-specific parts are actually present. When it arrived to me it was the case, top part with the glass, signboard, bedplate and frame and most of the upper works. I have since added parts, both original and modern, to help complete the machine. What I have added are an original tiz-it elbow, so that I can mount my original horn there (sure, it isn't the original coin-op nickel horn and elbow, but still looks good), an original replacement Type A motor (serial number 200270, a very low number for these) to fill in most of the missing parts (I have already transferred some parts over), some screws and springs for the upper works, a plunger-rod for the upper works (needs shortening and a point on one end), replacement glass for the signboard, an original floating reproducer (needs a rebuild), and, of course, a nice original record. I already have a pdf for a new marquee for the signboard, which I will be taking to a local copy shop to print out on quality paper/card. The crank in the photos is an original Edison Standard crank, but is there for display only at present. I also have a pair of vintage brass hinges on the way to connect the case base to lid.
I still need a few parts, which I was hoping some of the members here may be able to give me advice with. Most importantly, I'm missing a few coin-specific cogs that go to the right of the spring on the right-hand side of the motor frame. I doubt I will be able to get originals, so if anybody has any copies, or indeed good measurements/blueprints which I can then have manufactured here, I would be extremely grateful. The crank is also missing. Again, an original would be nice, but a reproduction or plans to make one would be amazing. Another important set would be the parts linking the reproducer to the horn, including both attachments and the cloth-covered hose. Originals would be ideal, but reproductions are fine. What I am also missing, which would be helpful, are the original keys. Thankfully a friend is a locksmith, so I was wondering if anybody had scans or good measurements/prints of their own original keys which I could have made and cut specifically to my locks. The tightening screw on the left of the carriage is missing. The case also needs work, as some layers have come apart and bits need tightening, but a friend of mine, a wood specialist, said he could do that, so that's fine. A reproducer correct to this machine would also be fantastic, so a Columbia Eagle with ''REPRODUCER'' on it, perhaps with the diaphragm weight too, as I believe this machine would have had one of those too.
In addition to the above, it would be nice to replace any non-original parts with originals. That includes trivial parts like small screws, case hinges, springs, an old plunger road etc... An original coin-op horn with sleeve would also be amazing, but I understand that they are very rare and expansive in their own right, and I am happy at the moment with how the horn and elbow are at present.
Apologies for talking your ears off, so am grateful for any interest in my post and machine. In addition to any advice regarding parts I would be very interested to hear more history about the Type S/AS in general. How many are known today? When did they stop being made? Did they sell well? How good are they in terms of reliability/robustness? Anything like that would be cool to know. I absolutely adore this machine, and am so happy to finally have one. Just walking into my room and seeing it is simply amazing. I just hope I can honour it by learning enough to fully appreciate it and get it into working order and really bring it back to life. I am extremely fortunate to have paid a fraction of what these things usually well for (the princely sum of £270), and for the seller being open to ship across the Atlantic to Great Britain.
Thanks again for your patience, and I look forward to any thoughts or comments.
Josh C
I have been a member for a little while, but have mostly sat back and enjoyed the fantastic information and machines posted here. However, on this occasion I am incredibly proud to add this beautiful machine to my collection, which is something which I have wanted to own for all of my collecting life.
This delightful machine is a rare Columbia Type S coin operated Graphopone phonograph. I understand that a few of these have been posted before, but as with many coin operated machines are still quite rare, regardless of condition. I apologise for any errors in my assessment here, so wholeheartedly look forward to any corrections or comments. As far as I understand it, the earlier machines still had Type S on them, rather than AS, so likely date to shortly after this model was introduced in 1898. This particular example was manufactured at New York, rather than Washington D.C., and the oak case has the address of 1155, 1157 and 1159 Broadway New York. The serial number is 207221. I would absolutely love to know whether the combination of factors, such as the decal, serial number etc can pin down a more secure date (perhaps within a couple months within 1898).
This particular example has been factory modified for use in Canada, and only accepts silver Canadian 5 cent pieces. According to the seller this example was used in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, perhaps in a saloon, hotel or other public establishment there (I know so little about Wolfville, so if anybody knows about its history or public buildings I'd be interested to know, as it would be fantastic to know what building it was in). After becoming obsolete, it had some parts stripped and then put away into storage. It came to me still covered in cobwebs and dirt, with the seller confirming that he had had it in his own attic after purchasing it over 20 years ago. I am extremely relieved that he was able to ship this to me. I am based in the UK, and understandably most sellers wouldn't dream of shipping this across the Atlantic due to the fragility. Fortunately it arrived safely, and with the glass intact. I really like that this is Canadian used example, as I'm a historian that loves British history; Canada in 1898 was still part of the British Empire, so it is great to be able to use coins with Queen Victoria/Edward VII etc... on them for this machine.
Anyway, on to the machine itself. It is not complete, though fortunately many of the coin-specific parts are actually present. When it arrived to me it was the case, top part with the glass, signboard, bedplate and frame and most of the upper works. I have since added parts, both original and modern, to help complete the machine. What I have added are an original tiz-it elbow, so that I can mount my original horn there (sure, it isn't the original coin-op nickel horn and elbow, but still looks good), an original replacement Type A motor (serial number 200270, a very low number for these) to fill in most of the missing parts (I have already transferred some parts over), some screws and springs for the upper works, a plunger-rod for the upper works (needs shortening and a point on one end), replacement glass for the signboard, an original floating reproducer (needs a rebuild), and, of course, a nice original record. I already have a pdf for a new marquee for the signboard, which I will be taking to a local copy shop to print out on quality paper/card. The crank in the photos is an original Edison Standard crank, but is there for display only at present. I also have a pair of vintage brass hinges on the way to connect the case base to lid.
I still need a few parts, which I was hoping some of the members here may be able to give me advice with. Most importantly, I'm missing a few coin-specific cogs that go to the right of the spring on the right-hand side of the motor frame. I doubt I will be able to get originals, so if anybody has any copies, or indeed good measurements/blueprints which I can then have manufactured here, I would be extremely grateful. The crank is also missing. Again, an original would be nice, but a reproduction or plans to make one would be amazing. Another important set would be the parts linking the reproducer to the horn, including both attachments and the cloth-covered hose. Originals would be ideal, but reproductions are fine. What I am also missing, which would be helpful, are the original keys. Thankfully a friend is a locksmith, so I was wondering if anybody had scans or good measurements/prints of their own original keys which I could have made and cut specifically to my locks. The tightening screw on the left of the carriage is missing. The case also needs work, as some layers have come apart and bits need tightening, but a friend of mine, a wood specialist, said he could do that, so that's fine. A reproducer correct to this machine would also be fantastic, so a Columbia Eagle with ''REPRODUCER'' on it, perhaps with the diaphragm weight too, as I believe this machine would have had one of those too.
In addition to the above, it would be nice to replace any non-original parts with originals. That includes trivial parts like small screws, case hinges, springs, an old plunger road etc... An original coin-op horn with sleeve would also be amazing, but I understand that they are very rare and expansive in their own right, and I am happy at the moment with how the horn and elbow are at present.
Apologies for talking your ears off, so am grateful for any interest in my post and machine. In addition to any advice regarding parts I would be very interested to hear more history about the Type S/AS in general. How many are known today? When did they stop being made? Did they sell well? How good are they in terms of reliability/robustness? Anything like that would be cool to know. I absolutely adore this machine, and am so happy to finally have one. Just walking into my room and seeing it is simply amazing. I just hope I can honour it by learning enough to fully appreciate it and get it into working order and really bring it back to life. I am extremely fortunate to have paid a fraction of what these things usually well for (the princely sum of £270), and for the seller being open to ship across the Atlantic to Great Britain.
Thanks again for your patience, and I look forward to any thoughts or comments.
Josh C