THIS ITEM IS SOLD
GRAPHOPHONE "AT"
In our 40 years in this business, this may be the most perfectly preserved Columbia "AT" we have ever seen. It is truly uncanny how this instrument shows virtually no sign of age! The finish shines like glass, but NOT because somebody "polyurethaned" it -- because it STILL has its ORIGINAL shine and sparkle from the nineteenth century!
In the late nineteenth century the American Graphophone Company, and its sales outlet the Columbia Phonograph Company, were springing (pun intended) forward. And they were virtually unstoppable. Edison had failed to offer competitive products until the Columbia had eaten most of his lunch! For Christmas 1898, Columbia introduced a beautiful new model, designated the "AT," in an ornate oak cabinet with Victorian carving and a stunning gold banner.
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A factory-installed decal from the century BEFORE the last century, and yet fresh and crisp as if it were made yesterday! Note the little gold dot at the center of the cabinet, above the first "O" in "Graphophone." This ephemeral little jot was used at the Graphophone factory in Bridgeport, CT, to assist in locating and applying the banner decal to the cabinet. It was not meant to last, and in most instances today it can no longer be seen. However, this instrument is so pristine that the little factory dot remains!
The mechanical works are fresh as new. The nickel-plated motor plate is virtually perfect. The quaint floral decorations are still as bright and crisp as new. The reproducer was in such extraordinary condition, we literally could not being ourselves to disturb it -- it retains its original gasket and delicate beeswax, in perfect condition after well more than a century.
The stylish ID plate.
We show you the original winding crank because it is so excellently preserved.
What more can we say? This machine can not be surpassed, it is so beautiful! And it plays 2-minute cylinder records.
Price: $950.00 US, including one 2-minute record and historically correct brass bell replica horn, plus s/h (NY State residents must pay tax, if applicable).
E-mail: phonotim@gmail.com
Telephone: 585-582-1586
FAX: PHONOPHAN, 585-582-2624
US Post: PHONOPHAN
PO Box 747
Henrietta, NY 14467 USA