Pint - Sized & Nearly Perfect 1901 Columbia AA Cylinder Phonograph W/Nickel Horn
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:4352022 |
While it may be convenient for us to believe that innovative product design began a dozen years ago with the launch of the iPhone, the practice of fusing form with function actually goes back a bit further than that. There were the Great Pyramids, of course. They were around before the iPhone. And the abacus. That was invented before Apple even went public. And the Papal Basilica of St. Peter. I don't think Michelangelo even knew Steve Jobs. So yes, the trend has legs,... as they say in the movie business. Which is why I get a bit giddy when I'm able to present a top shelf assortment of technical antiquity like I've got lined up for you this week. My only regret is that it may be a tough act for me to follow, but I'll worry about that next week. So check it all out. Seven splendid ancient examples of industry running headlong into art. And don't forget, you can click this link to quickly add and then save me to your favorite seller list and Ebay will automatically send you updates when I put similar new auctions online.
Here's a tiny, beautiful and uncommon Columbia AA cylinder phonograph. Measuring just 10" wide at the base, the AA Graphophone was the smallest fully-cased cylinder phonograph manufactured by Columbia. It could rest on the palm of your hand, but its wood base and wood lid were conventionally executed, with the motor and crankshaft hidden beneath the bedplate, giving the machine the appearance of a Columbia AT that passed through a shrink machine.
The phonograph is in excellent working order, and it will arrive at your doorstep ready to play and enjoy. The nickel plating on the bedplate is original and it's nearly perfect, as you can see, with a surface that's as reflective as a mirror. The mechanism is in excellent condition overall, and it plays great. The reproducer is original, it sounds good, comes in its original box, and it's the correct reproducer for an AA. Strong motor, good governor, undamaged gearing, and the machine has no trouble making it all the way through a cylinder when it's wound.
Cabinet is beautiful, with an outstanding original finish and a nearly perfect original Graphophone decal. Lid latches are working, and they snugly secure the lid to the base.
The crank is original, and it's in excellent condition. The 10" nickel horn is one of Ron Sitko's excellent replicas. It's almost identical to an original nickel horn, except that it doesn't look like it was just pulled up from the bottom of Lake Michigan.
I'll include with the phonograph an early 2 minute cylinder, and if you get tired of listening to it, there are plenty of other titles available on ebay and elsewhere. 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.
I've been selling and shipping antique phonographs, antique radios and antique scientific apparatus for more than 25 years. When you purchase an antique phonograph from me, you'll receive a phonograph that arrives safely because it's been carefully packed (by me, not by some well-intentioned but nonetheless confounded, doe-eyed teenager working at the UPS store who wouldn't know a phonograph from a farm tool), and you'll receive a phonograph that includes thorough but easy-to-understand set-up and operating instructions, so you won't be left scratching your head, trying to figure out how it works. Sure, you can probably get a lower price from Joe and Janet Barn-Find, but when your "bargain" arrives broken, and without any hint of how it works or how you might be able to put it back together, you'll realize that you really do get exactly what you pay for.
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. Paypal okay.
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