Hey Everyone,
We found a Columbia Grafonola in our grandparents basement. I would really appreciate it if anyone can tell me a little more about it or guide me to some good resources.
I have a few pictures but couldn't figure out how to post them here. I can send them via email if anyone is interested.
Thanks,
Scott
Found - Columbia Gramophone - Info Requested
Q&A about Talking Machines from the pre-electronic era (approx. 1885-1928).
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Joe_DS
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TO POST AN IMAGE ON THIS SITE:
In order to post an image on an internet forum or message board, your image must be "hosted" on an internet web site, and assigned a "URL" or web address starting with "HTTP" and ending with the image's "file extension," such as "JPG," "GIF," BMP," etc. There are a number of sites that offer free image hosting. I use Imageshack -- http://imageshack.us/
Follow the instructions on the screen. (USE the "BROWSE" button on the site to locate your image on your computer, and go from there.)
After your image is hosted, you will see a screen with a number of options. Toward the bottom of the list, you will see your image's new URL -- again, starting with HTTP and ending with JPG, or whatever. Highlight this, and copy and paste it into your browser's "address bar" and press the Enter Key on your keyboard to see the image itself in it's own screen. It's a good idea to "bookmark" this page, or ad it to your "Favorites," depending on the browser software you use -- Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, etc.
Now that you've done this, all you have to do is compose your message on this board, and when you come to the place where you want the image to appear, click once on the IMG button. A set of brackets will appear on the screen -- [img]. Paste your image's new URL right after that--with no spaces in between the bracket and the URL--and then click the IMG button again. You will see something like this --
[img]http/:myimage'sURL.jpg[/img]
Finish composing your message, and click on the PREVIEW button below to verify that your image displays correctly.
In order to post an image on an internet forum or message board, your image must be "hosted" on an internet web site, and assigned a "URL" or web address starting with "HTTP" and ending with the image's "file extension," such as "JPG," "GIF," BMP," etc. There are a number of sites that offer free image hosting. I use Imageshack -- http://imageshack.us/
Follow the instructions on the screen. (USE the "BROWSE" button on the site to locate your image on your computer, and go from there.)
After your image is hosted, you will see a screen with a number of options. Toward the bottom of the list, you will see your image's new URL -- again, starting with HTTP and ending with JPG, or whatever. Highlight this, and copy and paste it into your browser's "address bar" and press the Enter Key on your keyboard to see the image itself in it's own screen. It's a good idea to "bookmark" this page, or ad it to your "Favorites," depending on the browser software you use -- Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, etc.
Now that you've done this, all you have to do is compose your message on this board, and when you come to the place where you want the image to appear, click once on the IMG button. A set of brackets will appear on the screen -- [img]. Paste your image's new URL right after that--with no spaces in between the bracket and the URL--and then click the IMG button again. You will see something like this --
[img]http/:myimage'sURL.jpg[/img]
Finish composing your message, and click on the PREVIEW button below to verify that your image displays correctly.
Thanks for the info Joe. I really appreciate it!
I've loaded a few pics to Flickr. Here's the link:
http://flickr.com/photos/shenry/261259047/
I've loaded a few pics to Flickr. Here's the link:
http://flickr.com/photos/shenry/261259047/
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Joe_DS
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 1056
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:23 pm
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Hi Scott:
That looks like one of the Columbia "Period" style Grafonolas produced between the late teens to about 1922/23. It does not appear to be one of the standard models, as listed in the "Columbia Phonograph Companion, Vol. II," by Robert W. Baumbach; nor does it match any of the Period models illustrated in the book.
The Period models were very expensive in their day, and normally command a high value from today's collectors, depending on the style, condition, etc. Based on what I can see, the original grille, or perhaps a door covering the horn, may be missing from yours.
I'm wondering if it would be possible to post a photo showing the entire machine.
That looks like one of the Columbia "Period" style Grafonolas produced between the late teens to about 1922/23. It does not appear to be one of the standard models, as listed in the "Columbia Phonograph Companion, Vol. II," by Robert W. Baumbach; nor does it match any of the Period models illustrated in the book.
The Period models were very expensive in their day, and normally command a high value from today's collectors, depending on the style, condition, etc. Based on what I can see, the original grille, or perhaps a door covering the horn, may be missing from yours.
I'm wondering if it would be possible to post a photo showing the entire machine.
Thanks for the info Joe. Those are all the pictures I have for now. I plan to take some more this weekend and will post them when I have them.
In your opinion, if my family decides to sell this, is it better to restore it or sell it as is? Also, I know that some people consider antiques more valuable if you leave the finish as is vs. refinishing. Is this true for these type of items as well?
Scott
In your opinion, if my family decides to sell this, is it better to restore it or sell it as is? Also, I know that some people consider antiques more valuable if you leave the finish as is vs. refinishing. Is this true for these type of items as well?
Scott
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Joe_DS
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 1056
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:23 pm
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
shenry wrote:Thanks for the info Joe. Those are all the pictures I have for now. I plan to take some more this weekend and will post them when I have them.
In your opinion, if my family decides to sell this, is it better to restore it or sell it as is? Also, I know that some people consider antiques more valuable if you leave the finish as is vs. refinishing. Is this true for these type of items as well?
Scott
Hi Scott:
If you were to sell this, I'd advise that you sell it "as-is," and leave it to next owner to restore. (An inauthentic or poorly done cabinet restoration can, indeed, have a negative impact on the resale value.)
If you decide to hang onto it, there are a number of shops that specialize in antique phonograph restoration -- not only the cabinet, but the motor, reproducer, etc.
You can find several shops listed on this site under the Accessories/Restoration section --
http://www.proaxis.com/~settlet/record/links.html
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