Beautiful Standard Model A Phonograph w 2 Turntables, Plays Regular 78's, Works!

Description

I drove out to a small town in Western Maine many years ago to look at an old cylinder phonograph, and while I was there, the older gentleman who owned it asked if I might have any interest in one of “the other kind.” I wasn’t quite sure what he meant, until he walked me up to the attic and pointed me in the direction of this: a Standard Model A phonograph, or “talking machine,” from around 1907. The gentleman told me that this phonograph, like his cylinder player, had been owned, originally, by his parents, though they hadn’t exactly purchased this one; rather, he explained, the store in the next town (his town was so small it had never had any commercial enterprise except for a bait shop) gave his mother a coupon every time she shopped there, and at some point she accumulated enough coupons to get this talking machine for free. Thus, Standards, which were made – using Columbia phonograph parts – by the Great Northern Manufacturing Co. of Chicago, are known by collectors as “scheme” talking machines, made not to be sold, but to be given away as premiums. That, though, was only part of the scheme; the other part was that Standards came equipped with a larger spindle hole that wouldn’t accommodate regular 78 RPM disc records – they would only play special “Standard” records that had the right-sized spindle hole. Like razors and razor blades, Standard made their money off the records, not the record player. After may years, I was able to find a second, later-made turntable with the right sized spindle, that would fit this machine and play regular 78’s, and ever since, I have enjoyed playing records on it every day.
Back when I first found this phonograph, though, I didn’t know such turntables existed, and I didn’t own any Standard records; still, I knew I had to have it. I had seen pictures of these machines before, and even a couple in person, but they were always either in very bad shape – veneer peeling, wood pieces missing, horn deeply faded and rusted – or had been restored to the point where they looked fake. This machine looked exactly as it does today: original red paint bright red; original decal full and bold; original oak finish in wonderful, mellowed shape. In fact, the only thing I have ever done to this machine is rebuild the reproducer (which sound great now) and repair the wooden crank handle, which had split. Other than that, it is just as it was when the family put it up in their attic about a century ago; and since I found it, I still have never seen another is such nice, all-original condition. The phonograph works very well, too, easily playing (loudly!) through a record on a single winding, and often more than one; regular 78’s play better than Standards discs, which had rougher surfaces and thus tend to drag more. The wooden case measures 11.25”w x 11.25”d x 5.5”h, and the 8-petal horn measures 17” in diameter at the bell. I have kept this machine in my office for a very long time and have always enjoyed looking at it, and, of course, playing it; now, though, I’m running out of space, so it’s time to pass it along to another collector who will enjoy it just as much as I have.  If you’ve been looking for one of these in beautiful all-original condition but feared you’d never find one – much less one in working condition that can play regular 78’s too – this is your lucky day; you simply won’t find a nicer one!  Best of all, I’m offering this beautiful phonograph with NO RESERVE – high bidder takes it!
I will ship this phonograph ONLY within the United States. If you live elsewhere and are interested in it, please contact me BEFORE bidding so we can discuss the shipping charges, which can be very expensive outside the U.S. I will be shipping the phonograph and horn SEPARATELY, to insure that the latter arrives intact and undamaged. I ship once a week (whenever possible). Having received, over the years, some items that did not survive shipping, I always take care to pack very carefully. If you prefer, I will be happy to drop it off at a nearby UPS store and have it professionally packed and shipped at your expense. I reserve the right to raise or lower the shipping charges should they prove to be significantly different than those determined by the shipping calculator. I reserve the right to refuse sale to anyone with excessive negative feedback or an otherwise suspicious history. Payment is due within three (3) days of the auction's close. Due to its age I am selling this radio without any warranty. All sales are final. I am not a dealer, and don’t have a big operation with a staff, so I would appreciate your patience while I take the time to pack your items with the care they deserve.
Be sure to see all the pictures! I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, but please try to ask as early as possible, as it sometimes takes me a while to get to my email. Please see my other listings, as I am thinning out my collection considerably. I have several fine items up on Ebay right now, and will be listing many more in the weeks and months to come, so please keep checking. Good luck and happy bidding!