Info about Columbia "50/Favorite" D-series Grafonola?

[Cranks-n-Horns417]

Hi again APS Members & Fans, I've been combing the internet for more information about my recent, and supposedly last phonograph purchase. Primarily I want to know when it was built. It is a mahogany, louvered, Favorite/50, Grafonola. It has a serial number that starts with "D". Mine is D-38518. I find only the mention that some of the final models were designated by the letter D and that they were a bit fancier and more expensive but no further details or any dates. Can anyone tell me a little more about these mysterious D-series machines?

[MikeSherman]

Columbia, unlike Victor or Edison, frequently renamed (or renumbered) their machine offerings.  This sometimes leads to confusion on the part of modern collectors.  As best as I can determine, this is the chronology of the Columbia Favorite.

 

Oct-Nov 1910   Machine is introduced.  See accompanying article from The Columbia Record.

 

May-Jun 1912  Two louvers or “tone leaves” replace the doors in front

 

June 1913  Now motor and metal motor board, No. 6 reproducer, push button hinge lock, new tone arm (See accompanying article)

 

Dec 1915  Favorite renamed to Grafonola 50.  Push button hinge release eliminated.  Attachment.

 

Apr 1918  Grafonola 50 renamed to type “D”  Attachment.

 

There were price increases during 1918-1920, but this was primarily due to the high inflation following WWI, and not to any significant upgrades to the machine.

 

The Favorite / 50 / D was a popular machine, and sounds particularly good with a well-tuned No. 6 reproducer.  Its primary competition was Victor’s Victrola IX.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Mike

[Cranks-n-Horns417]

Wow! Thank you for all of the great info that I would never have been able to find.on my own. Erich