The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi, I'm new to this forum but have been collecting phonographs for 40 years. I came across a large upright Columbia phono that I can't identify. I have looked in my columbia book by Mac Lackey, but could not find it listed. This machine is HUGE. it stands 54 inches high and 24 inches square. There are highly carved corner columns and the usual drop down Columbia record compartments. I cant find any numbers on the case and was curious to know if anybody has one or knows what this model is. Could it be a custom cabinet for Columbia? I have several of those. Thanks for your info.

Wow. I can't be any help but that is a pretty Columbia. I've never seen one so ornate.

Hmmm.... Could it have been one of their 'Semi-Period' models?

I understand that Columbia didn't build their cabinets "in house" like Victor, so within a cataloged model designation are many variations. It's hard to spot a "ringer" in the books
on the fancier machines.
If that's a 12 inch turntable, it really is a big cabinet!

Assuming the record is almost certainly 10" then the turntable is 12" and the cabinet is huge indeed.

If nobody here is successful in identifying your machine, it may be worth checking ebay for Columbia advertising, which may eventually show an ad for this model. Even if you dont purchase the ad from the seller, you may be able to contact him to find out if the model number is mentioned, as often the pictures aren't quite clear enough to make out the text.
Here's an example that looks close, but isn't quite close enough-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1917-RARE-COLUM ... 27b140783f

Good luck!