Featured Phonograph: Columbia BE

[Jerry]

MODEL:  BE
SERIAL #:   76
YEARS MADE:   
COST:   
CASE/CABINET SIZE:  
TURNTABLE:   N/A
REPRODUCER:   Early, weighted Lyric
MOTOR:   
HORN DIMENSIONS:   10" Nickel Plated
REPRODUCTION PARTS:   None
CURRENT VALUE:   
INTERESTING FACTS :  Another uncommon, common machine. What's  wrong with these pictures? The banner decal appears to be on the backside of the cabinet! To my understanding, the earliest versions were like this. I have often wondered if this wasn't a mistake, corrected after the initial batch of cabinets were sold. This also has the early, weighted reproducer. With a serial number of 76, I'm wondering of anyone has one earlier or even close to this one. It would be fun to compare features. Anyone??

 

I purchased this machine only to get the nice little 10", nickel plated horn that came with it. Only later did I question the odd decal placement and low s/n. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 7 by Jerry

[phonogfp]

I've seen several 1905-06 Graphophones with the decal on the rear panel of the cabinet.  Although a couple of possible explanations occur to me, it's a mystery.  I haven't encountered any period references to the phenomenon.  

 

BEs were not originally cataloged with 10" nickeled horns, but I don't blame you for the purchase - both the horn and the machine are outstanding.  There can't be many lower serial numbers still existing!

 

George P.

[Jerry]

Thanks, George! No, the 10" horn wouldn't make sense, (even without my knowledge of the original catalog listing), but as you say, it's a nice one. As I recall now, the price was a good one for the horn alone.

 

I also find it interesting that only the s/n is shown, with none of the other data included on later examples.

 

[phonogfp]

Yes - that otherwise black end-plate is yet another aberration.  Those weighted Lyric Reproducers don't appear very often either!

 

George P.

[Valecnik]

Nice machine with some interesting features Jerry.  I've seen enough of those  Columbia cylinder machines with the banner on the backside to dismiss my initial assumption that they were mistakes.  If not mistakes, why then?  Hmmm...