Coin-operated Columbia Graphophone Type AS for sale

The Columbia Type AS was introduced in 1898, a time when the phonograph had not found its way into most homes, and when people were willing to pay for the novelty of hearing a record. Functional spring motor machines had only been available for a few years.

The machine was based on the Columbia A. A nickel was placed in the slot atop this Graphophone. When the coin dropped, the crank was unlocked and the machine could be fully wound. At that point, the mechanism would take off and the machine would play through a record until the carriage hit an adjustable trigger to the right of the mandrel. The trigger would disengage the half nut, and a spring would pull the carriage back to the start position.

All coin-operated cylinder phonographs are quite scarce. The most common is the Type BS, based on the Columbia Eagle. Anything other than a BS is considerably scarcer, including this Type AS.

This example is operating correctly, and we have done some work on it, particularly in the carriage and half nut assembly, to get it to that happy state. It's very unusual to find one of these complete and working.

Cosmetically, this machine has a very nice original finish and original colorful scroll decal. The bedplate is very nice and shiny. The marquee on these machines is almost always missing; this one has a well made older reproduction.

The Columbia No. 2 reproducer with this machine is the proper reproducer for an AS, and is old and original. The coin box is present and original. The special crank, which could be screwed into the shaft to prevent misplacement or theft, is also present. There is some extra solder built up on the 45 degree angle adapter that engages an original 14 inch brass bell horn.

Some of the linkage between the reproducer and horn post is not original, but the linkage works fine and allows the reproducer to track.

We have keys for the coin box and the drop front panel.

You can watch this amazing machine brought back to life after 125 years on the youtube video below.

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Lynn Bilton
Box 435
Randolph,OH 44265
330 325-7866

We buy, sell, and repair antique phonographs and music boxes.

Pick-up and delivery possible in many parts of the midwest,south, and northeast.