Make
sure to check out all of my auctions this week. I’m listing an eclectic
assortment of antique phonographs, including a museum quality 1909 Maroon GEM cylinder phonograph with its original red morning glory horn (this phonograph features factory combination gearing and an original Edison Combination K reproducer); a 1905 Talk-O-Phone front mount disc phonograph with its
original Talk-O-Phone reproducer (it’s become hard to find any
Talk-O-Phone machines, perhaps because this Ohio-based company spent
more time in litigation with its rivals than it did making phonographs);
and last but certainly not least a fascinating Radior disc gramophone
for vertical cut records (this unique “hill and dale” machine features
an upwardly radiating external horn that’s embedded in its motorboard;
you’ve got to see it — it’s very neat!). So don’t forget to click “see other items” after you’ve read about this one. You can also click this link to quickly add and then save me to your favorite seller list and
website will automatically send you updates when I put similar new
listings online. Please note, however, that this software glitches
occasionally, and it’s not uncommon for bidders to be notified of new
auction listings after those auctions have ended, so it’s always safest
to check in Monday morning, as I list items every Sunday night.
Now, here’s a nice little collectible. You’re looking at a 107-year-old Busy Bee Graphophone that’s still mint in its original box. This machine was manufactured by Columbia and sold by O’Neill James, a Chicago-based talking machine distributor that “personalized” the pint-sized phonograph by offering it with a special mandrel designed to play Busy Bee cylinders exclusively. O’Neill James’s marketing technique no doubt taught Gillette a thing or two about how to sell razor blades, and it led many early Graphophone users to wonder why such an affordable phonograph played such expensive records. This particular Busy Bee includes 2 mandrels (both the Busy Bee special mandrel and the Columbia standard mandrel) so it’s capable of playing all types of 2-minute cylinders, including Edison, Columbia, Oxford and of course Busy Bee.
Condition of the machine is — as you’d expect — like new throughout. Even the box is in decent shape given its age and occupation. There’s some light checking evident in the enameled surface of the bedplate, and a couple of flakes on the underside of the base, but this is a function of age, not wear. The color decorations are original, and they are nearly flawless, as you can see. The reproducer and key are likewise original, and they are in “as new” condition as well, with only traces of tarnish but no oxidation or corrosion. Both mandrels are original, and both are spotless. All four feet are original, and they are in “like new” condition. The only non-original piece included with the set is the horn, a beautiful black and nickel 10″ witch’s hat that looks fantastic when mounted on this beautiful black and nickel phonograph.
The machine works great, and it sounds great, too, especially for such a diminutive phonograph — just 8″ wide by 6″ deep!
I’ll include an early 2 minute Edison cylinder with the machine so it will be ready to enjoy as soon as it arrives. If you get tired of listening to it, there are plenty of other titles available on website and elsewhere. As noted above, the machine plays Columbia cylinders too, along with those made by Oxford, Lakeside, etc. I will ship the machine to you with the standard-sized mandrel installed, but I’ll be happy to ship it to you with the Busy Bee mandrel installed if you’d prefer — just let me know. Changing the mandrels out takes less than a minute. You simply remove the screw that secures the mandrel to side plate and pull the mandrel to the right. 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.
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