What have I gotten myself into?

Recently bought what was labeled as a 1914 Columbia Grafonola. I can't confirm the year, but the Columbia trademark is still present. I've always been interested in owning and playing an antique record player and now that I have one, I want to make sure I take proper care of it. Could anyone please lend some advice so I don't make any amateur caretaking mistakes?
How to properly play a record?
Do's and Dont's?
General caretakeing?
Cleaning the machine/records?
Anything else?

I've included a few pictures here.
Any advice would be much appreciated!

TM

There are many more people who frequent this page who are far more knowledgeable than I....BUT....I know they will suggest this book: The Compleat Talking Machine (Thats is the exact spelling of the title) by Eric Reiss. I purchased a 1927 Victrola about a month ago and this book covers just about every concievable issue that can go wrong with early phonographs, as well as care, cleaning, and restoration of them inside and out.

Basics on record play: You need a new needle every time you play a record. Using a needle repeatedly will eventually damage your records. Needles are avail from many sources on line.

Post accoustic era (ended about 1930) 78's are not designed to be played on these machines. I would do a google search on "78 record information" to learn more about the types of records you will need.

There are many great web pages out there on phonographs as well, and although I have not looked for Columbia info I'm sure it is out there.

Good luck.

Ed

Ed covered the basics very well. About the only thing to ad at this point is to be very gentle with the tonearm. Columbia bayonet style tonearms are notorious for breaking easily.

Also, if it has not been done, try to have the gaskets holding the mica diaphragm in place in the sound box replaced as soon as possible, especially before playing too many records. The gaskets should be extremely soft and pliable. Gaskets, and other components are available from a number of sellers, including those listed on this page -- http://www.proaxis.com/~settlet/record/links.html -- under the Accessories/Restoration section near the bottom of the page.

If you need it, here's an online copy of a Columbia generic user's manual -- http://www.nipperhead.com/old/colgraf.htm
Just click on the thumbnail images to make them full size for viewing/printing.

JDS

Thank you! I'll try and take care of this brilliant piece of machinery as best I can.