Coin-Op Phonographs
Edison Bijou
A c.1901 Edison Bijou, utilizing an Edison Gem A mechanism adapted to coin operation. Operates on the drop of a penny. Very few of this early model are known to exist. This came from the private museum collection of the late Don Gfell, a world-renowned Edison expert. We recently have had it professionally serviced, and it operates perfectly.
#6191
Columbia AS Coin-Op
This is an early example of an AS, with the nameplate designating it as an “S” which Columbia changed to AS shortly after it’s introduction. Buyer can choose between several different horns or listening tubes if desired.
#6183
Edison “Excelsior”
A rare Excelsior, one of the hardest Edison coin-ops to find anywhere. Recently professionally serviced and in excellent operating condition. Included is an excellent copy of the famous song “Take Me Out To The Ball Game”.
#6067
Regina Hexaphone Style 103
Many collectors consider Hexaphones to be the very first actual jukeboxes. They could be found in taverns, restaurants and arcades, providing audio entertainment and a view of the wondrous machinery inside. This oak Hexaphone, with wood horn, plays 4-minute cylinders on the drop of a quarter. The mechanism operates smoothly and plays perfectly each and every time.
Comes complete with six cylinders for the "carousel" and a tune sheet listing the song titles. A real musical delight!
#6021
Parlophon Coin-Op Phonograph
This early, c.1910, phonograph was made in Germany, trademarked as “Parlophon”. Upon dropping a coin in the slot, the reproducer would lower gently onto the record disk, and shut off at the end of play. Very clever engineering and a real moneymaker in it’s day!
#6197
Columbia “Rosenfield”
Housed in a cabinet similar to an Edison Eclipse (see below), and named after it's inventor, William Rosenfield, this coin-operated device utilized a Columbia "AZ" 2-minute cylinder phonograph, and has an electric motor for winding the springs and operating the chain-drive carriage return mechanism. It is wondrous to look at through the glass cover and see it in full operation.
Upon dropping a penny in the slot (which drops to a locking coin box inside), the phonograph activates, powered by it's own spring motor. At the end of the cylinder play, the electric motor automatically activates and (a) rewinds the spring on the phonograph (b) lifts the reproducer off the record (c) activates the return mechanism via a chain drive (d) returns the reproducer to the starting position (e) stops the mandrel rotation and lastly (f) lowers the reproducer onto the cylinder, ready for the next coin drop (g) shuts down and disconnects electrically. All these actions occur with a few seconds of each other, functioning smoothly and perfectly.
As you can well imagine, there is a lot going on with this antique machine, and there are a number of mechanical relays. The repeating functions, the coin contacts, etc. all must act in synchronous harmony.
Here is a video of the machine in operation: video #1
And here is a close look at the mechanism as it completes the cycle: video #2
#6099
Regina “Automatic Reginaphone” Style 100
aka “Table-Top Hexaphone”
A fantastic, rare machine. Although technically designated by Regina as a "Reginaphone", Style 100, it has many elements of the famous Regina Hexaphones (Styles 101 through 104) that sometimes lead it to being referred to as a "Table-top Hexaphone".
Wind the machine up, insert a nickel in the slot, and the machine will automatically play the next cylinder on the rotating carousel. At the end of the cylinder play, the reproducer raises and returns to the starting position, and the carousel advances to the next cylinder in the rotation. Unlike the later Hexaphones, there is no way to pre-select which cylinder will be played.
This is an all-original machine, playing and functioning perfectly, with an original miniature morning glory horn.
Less than a dozen of these machines are known to exist, and only two of the 4-minute design, of which this is one.
For further (and complete) details, please refer to M. Shawn O'Rourke's fine article in the March, 2018 issue of "The Antique Phonograph," published by the Antique Phonograph Society. Mr. O'Rourke recently personally cleaned, inspected, adjusted and lubricated this very Reginaphone for us, and it works perfectly, just as it came from the factory 120 years ago!
Edison Eclipse
One of Edison's first commercial coin-operated cylinder phonographs, utilizing a Triumph 2-minute mechanism fitted with a repeater. On the drop of a coin, the song automatically plays and then shuts off after returning to the start position, awaiting another coin.
This recently had its mechanical and electrical components professionally serviced, and the original electric motor still works great after about 120 years; the cabinet is nearly perfect as well. This is one of the most prized and sought-after of all coin-op phonographs.
#6094