1898 Columbia B Cylinder Phonograph W/Fancy " Sears " Base & Low Serial Number
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4300586 |
For the second time this summer, I'm heading up to Chicago, where I'll join a few hundred other like-minded lunatics at a celebration of antique technology. The pilgrimage also involves my stopping at every vintage guitar shop within five miles of the highway to see if I can find the mint 1956 Les Paul Jr. I stupidly pawned for $325 in 1986 when I needed money to buy an MG Midget that caught fire while I was driving it home from the happy individual who'd just sold it to me. Briti...sh Leyland sports cars. Built to last a lifetime if you plan on dying at age two. Right now, I'm into other things, the likes of which you'll see if you browse the roster of no-reserve auctions in my eBay store. It's a great store, probably the best store of its kind on the internet, and if you take a good look, I suspect you'll find something you can't live without. And don't forget, you can add me to your favorite seller list and Ebay will automatically send you updates when I put similar new auctions online
Here's a beautiful Columbia B cylinder phonograph with a 10" nickel horn and a fancy Sears-pattern base typically seen fitted to the Columbia Q. The phonograph dates to 1898. The base is later made. "Am. Graph. Co." is stamped into the phonograph's pulley cover, along with "TYPE B" and the phonograph's serial number. That serial number -- 80824 -- is the lowest I've ever seen on a "B, " and the lack of a mandrel tag is factory correct for B's in that serial number range. The only original fancy base Type B I've ever seen belonged to the late Larry Schlick, and it sold for $3250 plus buyer's premium at a Donley auction in 2014. I suspect the base on this example was made by/for Aaron Cramer. I'm pretty sure Cramer had them made for the Columbia Q.
Condition as you can see is outstanding. Super clean mechanism, with minimal plating wear, and no significant oxidation or corrosion. There are marks on the mandrel that look like residue from the ribs of a wax cylinder that was left on it for about 120 years. Motor and gearing are in excellent working order, and the governor keeps the mandrel spinning at a steady speed.
Excellent original Eagle reproducer, with a good sapphire and an undamaged mica diaphragm.
Sounds really good for such a small cylinder machine.
The 10" nickel horn is one of Ron Sitko's excellent replicas. It's almost indistinguishable from an original nickel horn, except that unlike most original horns, it doesn't look like it's been used as an oil funnel for the past century.
An early, great looking, great playing "Eagle" on an amazing base. Best of all, the phonograph doesn't need any tweaks or repairs or parts in order to be enjoyed immediately. I'll include a 2-minute brown wax cylinder with the phonograph so it will be ready to play as soon as it arrives. If you get tired of listening to the cylinder, there are plenty of other titles available on ebay and elsewhere. The machine plays Edison cylinders too, I should note, along with those made by Oxford, Lakeside, etc. And if you're not already familiar with how to operate an early cylinder phonograph, don't worry. I'll provide you with simple, easy to understand set-up instructions, so you'll be able to use it within minutes after you unpack it and put it together. That's about it. I will carefully prep everything for shipping and pack everything carefully and properly. I've been shipping fragile antique phonographs and wireless sets for years, and I know how to get them to you safely. Buyer prepays and includes shipping. Auction participants with no prior feedback record should contact me before bidding.
00739
Here's a beautiful Columbia B cylinder phonograph with a 10" nickel horn and a fancy Sears-pattern base typically seen fitted to the Columbia Q. The phonograph dates to 1898. The base is later made. "Am. Graph. Co." is stamped into the phonograph's pulley cover, along with "TYPE B" and the phonograph's serial number. That serial number -- 80824 -- is the lowest I've ever seen on a "B, " and the lack of a mandrel tag is factory correct for B's in that serial number range. The only original fancy base Type B I've ever seen belonged to the late Larry Schlick, and it sold for $3250 plus buyer's premium at a Donley auction in 2014. I suspect the base on this example was made by/for Aaron Cramer. I'm pretty sure Cramer had them made for the Columbia Q.
Condition as you can see is outstanding. Super clean mechanism, with minimal plating wear, and no significant oxidation or corrosion. There are marks on the mandrel that look like residue from the ribs of a wax cylinder that was left on it for about 120 years. Motor and gearing are in excellent working order, and the governor keeps the mandrel spinning at a steady speed.
Excellent original Eagle reproducer, with a good sapphire and an undamaged mica diaphragm.
Sounds really good for such a small cylinder machine.
The 10" nickel horn is one of Ron Sitko's excellent replicas. It's almost indistinguishable from an original nickel horn, except that unlike most original horns, it doesn't look like it's been used as an oil funnel for the past century.
An early, great looking, great playing "Eagle" on an amazing base. Best of all, the phonograph doesn't need any tweaks or repairs or parts in order to be enjoyed immediately. I'll include a 2-minute brown wax cylinder with the phonograph so it will be ready to play as soon as it arrives. If you get tired of listening to the cylinder, there are plenty of other titles available on ebay and elsewhere. The machine plays Edison cylinders too, I should note, along with those made by Oxford, Lakeside, etc. And if you're not already familiar with how to operate an early cylinder phonograph, don't worry. I'll provide you with simple, easy to understand set-up instructions, so you'll be able to use it within minutes after you unpack it and put it together. That's about it. I will carefully prep everything for shipping and pack everything carefully and properly. I've been shipping fragile antique phonographs and wireless sets for years, and I know how to get them to you safely. Buyer prepays and includes shipping. Auction participants with no prior feedback record should contact me before bidding.
00739
