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Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2026 9:39 pm
by billbossus
I have an opportunity to purchase this machine. So before I travel to examine it, I'd like to know if this is an actual Columbia phonograph or fantasy. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2026 9:53 pm
by drh
After consulting the Baumbach book to double check, I'm pretty sure it's a fake. No machine there had glass sides. The back bracket looks wrong. If the crank is actually engaged with the winding shaft, that can't be right for any genuine machine. Etc., etc.
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 4:22 am
by epigramophone
No Columbia of this period would have had a tapering gooseneck tonearm, for which Victor held the patent.
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 7:42 am
by jamiegramo
Yes definitely a fantasy or fake and certainly a frankenphone.
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:26 am
by billbossus
Thanks alot gentlemen.
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:27 am
by billbossus
Thanks alot gentlemen.
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:29 am
by JerryVan
It's a made-up thing. However, I am very curious about the black base piece of the cabinet. It very much resembles an accessory base for a Columbia Q. If it were to be one of those, and if it were an original piece, it could be fairly valuable.
EDIT: Upon looking up an image of such a base, it does not match the shape of the one in this example. Oh well...
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:36 am
by edisonplayer
It's definitely a FAKE!! edisonplayer.
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 1:38 pm
by jamiegramo
JerryVan wrote: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:29 am
It's a made-up thing. However, I am very curious about the black base piece of the cabinet. It very much resembles an accessory base for a Columbia Q. If it were to be one of those, and if it were an original piece, it could be fairly valuable.
EDIT: Upon looking up an image of such a base, it does not match the shape of the one in this example. Oh well...
Interesting I wondered the same as the base looks very similar to the bottom of the French Le Menestrel phonograph. I think it’s likely to be a sewing machine base.
Re: Columbia Machine Question
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2026 3:27 pm
by JerryVan
jamiegramo wrote: Sat Feb 14, 2026 1:38 pm
JerryVan wrote: Sat Feb 14, 2026 8:29 am
It's a made-up thing. However, I am very curious about the black base piece of the cabinet. It very much resembles an accessory base for a Columbia Q. If it were to be one of those, and if it were an original piece, it could be fairly valuable.
EDIT: Upon looking up an image of such a base, it does not match the shape of the one in this example. Oh well...
Interesting I wondered the same as the base looks very similar to the bottom of the French Le Menestrel phonograph. I think it’s likely to be a sewing machine base.
Excellent thought!