The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've never really collected Columbia phonographs, but came across the one. I'm not that up on values etc. for these machines, so any thought would be appreciated. It appears complete, except the horn which looks later or repro. It has the early black hard rubber reproducer, bedplate is not too bad, the casting has most of the decoration, and the case and lid looks original with a decent decal. It appears to be an 1896-7. It's priced around $500, which seems reasonable for such an early machine, but like I said I'm not really up on Graphophones, and don't know the "watchouts".

penman wrote:I've never really collected Columbia phonographs, but came across the one. I'm not that up on values etc. for these machines, so any thought would be appreciated. It appears complete, except the horn which looks later or repro. It has the early black hard rubber reproducer, bedplate is not too bad, the casting has most of the decoration, and the case and lid looks original with a decent decal. It appears to be an 1896-7. It's priced around $500, which seems reasonable for such an early machine, but like I said I'm not really up on Graphophones, and don't know the "watchouts".

You should run and get it. The reproducer sounds like its Gutta Percha and is worth several hundred dollars by itself. Steve

Steve:

Yes it is the gutta percha one, which is hard rubber. Other than checking how it sounds, is anyone reproducing them? Is there areal differential in price between the NY and Washington machines?

If it looks decent, you can't go too wrong for $500. If someone put it in front of me, I'd spring for it. [pun intended]

I agree that if the machine is as you describe it, it's well worth $500.

As for the reproducer, the ones being reproduced either have no "REPRODUCER" lettering or the lettering is crudely executed, or it's upside-down. An original gutta-percha reproducer's lettering should be configured so that it's readable hanging downwards, rather than in the later, more typical position. You can also tell by the stylus bar and other metal parts.

Some of the Washington As were equipped with 2 mainsprings. I don't know if this commands a premium from collectors (I'm probably the only one who cares!), but they don't turn up often.

I'm a big admirer of As in general, and especially the Washington variety. Like VT, if I came across this and the reproducer is original, my wallet would be in immediate motion.

George P.

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In looking at some of the photos in your book, it looks like the word "REPRODUCER" has a curve that slightly larger than the body, so the first and last R are closer to the edge than the center of the word.

George

While most replica gutta percha reproducers have the word facing the wrong direction, some are correctly oriented. Here's an original (on the left) with a replica (on the right). Note that the REPRODUCER is in larger letters on the replica. The material is also so thin that it's very nearly translucent when there's light behind it. From the back side you can see the original has a retaining ring for the diaphragm with two indentations to allow it to unscrew to replace gaskets. On this replica the diaphragm ring is sealed.

FellowCollector wrote: and, most importantly to me anyway, the carriages were NOT constructed using cheaper pot metal which seizes the carriage shaft up good and tight on most of the New York type A's.

Actually, none of the Type As (New York or Washington) used pot metal carriages. They're all nickel-plated brass, and this carried over into the very earliest ATs as well.

George P.

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