*** 1906 Columbia “AA” Graphophone ***

This is a demonstration of a 1906 Columbia Type “AA” Graphophone, playing an Oxford Indestructible 2min. Cylinder #1001 – No One Loves A Fat Man, by Arthur Collins.

This ornate little machine was the smallest cabinet model Graphophone sold by Columbia. It features an aluminum chassis with decorative machinists “jewelling” on the sides. The upper drive gears are semi-exposed and the covered feed-screw and reproducer carriage are positioned higher than the mandrel. This unusual chassis configuration permits the full weight of the floating reproducer to lie horizontally above the cylinder and bear down on the record, thus yielding greater volume. The bedplate on this unit is nickel plated sheet steel. A Columbia #5 aluminum reproducer is correct for this “late” machine. Fastened under the bedplate is a small enclosed two-spring crank-wound motor and 3-ball governor that were borrowed from the Type “B” machine. This model was fitted with a slip-on crank handle that unwound as the record played, and if not removed often fell of the machine. The neat little oak cabinet that houses this machine displays a thin rope moulding around the top edge, shaped corner columns on all four sides and a grooved base moulding. A small “The Graphophone” gold banner decal is centered on the front panel, and it has a gold “Milan Exposition 1906” shield on the back panel.