My Grandfather purchased this Graphophone around a 1969 time frame in Alliance, Ohio.
He gave it to my father who was a HiFi buff. At the time they had it looked at and it was
said to be repairable.
My father gave it to my elder brother, who in turn recently found it during a move and gave it to me. It looks to be in the same condition as initial, so while no work was done it seems still intact.
II realize it has condition issues, but with no more than a clean up, replacement of the missing wooden parts, and repairs I can live with it. My primary concern is the original finish. Wouldn't want to disturb the patination. Other than cleaning and a touch up where the varnish/shellac has deteriorated I wouldn't want to do anything,sans a partial touch-up of the decal. It looks weathered but authentic.
This Bell Tainter Type F Graphophone is one of a handful of specimens in existence and an example of the first commercially available spring driven talking box, an innovation which transformed the industry.
It's case dimensions and color are substantially different from the example demonstrated in Hazelcorn's
"Colombia Phonograph Companion", the standard reference. I was given an appraisal of $4,500 as it sits.
I have had the chance to look over the Bell Tainter case in regard to repairs to be made. It seems that the right side of both the top and bottom plates of the case have been partially delaminated, as a consequence of exposure to moisture. There is also some splitting of the top plate as well. All of this will need to be glued up, I guess.There is also some minor veneer loss to the right side of the top plate, which will have to be replaced.
The small left panel from the door is missing and will have to be replaced. The replacement panel need be finished to match that of the door. The right end molding will need to be made, installed, and finished to match the casework.
The remnants of some rubber/other washers located on the top plate are to be left in as found condition.The idea is to render the casework structurally sound yet retain it's finish as is. The finish appears to be
original and should be disturbed as little as possible.
