Featured Phonograph: Columbia AP

[Jerry]

MODEL:  AP
YEARS MADE:   1903 
COST:   $3
CASE/CABINET SIZE:  base 12" x 5.5"
REPRODUCER:   fixed in place

MOTOR: Single Spring
HORN DIMENSIONS:   10"
REPRODUCTION PARTS:  none  

 

 

Predesessor to the AQ. The AP had no leadscrew, depending solely upon the record groove to drive the reproducer. Leveling was crucial and delicate. The horn is suspended near its opening with a simple, vertical rod, with a pointed end that sits in a divot within the horn. The reproducer is rigidly mounted in the horn since it has no need to swivel. 

 

This example was purchased at a recent Stanton auction. It was a great surprise that the original paint cleaned up as well as it did. The striping and decal, however, is almost entirely gone. It should be striped the same as the AQ.

 

 

 

[Jerry]

Sorry for the quality of the pictures. I should have done this when I had more time...

[Tinfoilphono]

Very nice piece! I've always loved the unusual horn mount on the AP. 

[phonogfp]

A great companion to the AQ posted by Rene!  Thanks to you both for posting these interesting machines.

 

George P.

[Jerry]

Thanks guys! While this is by no means a pristine example, as is the case with the AQ, it's actually better than it photographs. I'm told that photographing in natural light is the way to go, (or buying machines in better condition perhaps 😉) The human eye is more forgiving than the camera lense, it seems. 

 

BTW, it appears as if we three are the total audience here. I realize that's probably an unfair exaggeration. No matter, I really enjoy this thread.  I hope others are inspired to join in.  Don't feel dissauded if you're not able to fill in all the blanks for the background information. I certainly can't... Fill in what you can and perhaps others can help with the other items. It's a chance for all of us to learn.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by Jerry

[Tinfoilphono]

Agreed -- I'm sure there are more AP and AQ Graphophones out there, I'd love to see some others to compare details. I'd also love to know if anyone has found any previously unreported ads or other ephemera mentioning them. 

[Jerry]

I just noticed in looking at my pictures above, that the AP has a serial number. Either 8647 or 3647. Hard to make out the first digit. You can see it in my 4th photo. It's stamped into the tin motor cover. There is an AP on YouTube that also has a serial number, but it's stamped on the side plate of the motor, just adjacent to the area where mine is stamped in the cover. My AQ has no such marking. Any other AP's or AQ's with serial numbers out there? Were AQ's not serialized?

Edited 9 hours ago by Jerry

[Tinfoilphono]

My AQ has a serial number on the side panel, just below and to the right of the winding key. It is 35540. Hazelcorn's book says that the numbers carried over from the AP, and fell into a very broad range from 17354 to 73358. The range he published for the AP is 527-14850. Clearly other types of Graphophones had to fall into those enormous ranges. A quick glance in the book shows the HG in the AP range, 519 - 6116. The GG is also in the AP range. So serial numbers won't help at all in determining approximate production, as can be done with some Graphophones. 

 

 

[Jerry]

Okay. I looked for a number on the AQ in the same area as the AP. With your guidance, I found the AQ serial number, 46167, marked approximately where yours is marked. Thanks!

[Tinfoilphono]

That's great. Question: does your AQ have "KEEP LEVEL" on the gear cover or is it blank?