Columbia Graphophone (Type A -Washington)

According to Columbia expert Howard Hazelcorn (1), the Columbia Graphophone Model A (Washington) was the "first to be called the Columbia and was announced as an 1897 machine in the December 1, 1896. Like the earlier Type N, it carried the "Washington, D.C." decal, and at $25 retail, was the first serious attempt to produce a quality machine at a popular price. The cast black chassis was decorated with beautiful gold leaves and tiny red berries. The mainspring, unlike the N, was completely open; there was no mainspring barrel...Probably just over 4000 of these "Washington" A's were made, prior to the official company expansion to N.Y. on January 1, 1897."

The machine on exhibit is the Columbia A "New York", basically the same as the "Washington" except that the patent plates and cabinet decals give a New York address.