Ultra-Rare Columbia Reproducer for Early De Luxe Grafonola & Regina Music Boxes!

Description

In my ongoing quest to thin out my collection, I am or will be posting on Ebay a number of antique phonograph parts and accessories that I picked up over the decades in here in northern New England, usually in large lots or salvaged from machines beyond restoration. This one is really special: It’s a very rare Columbia disc reproducer that was used on just one model – De Luxe Grafonola model, which was introduced in 1909 at a piece of 0. This machine was a joint venture between Columbia and the Regina music box company, and came equipped with both a phonograph mechanism and a music box mechanism. The phonograph came equipped with this reproducer, but many customers later “modernized” their phonograph by swapping out the original reproducer for the Columbia #6 reproducer, introduced around 1912. Most of the old reproducers were thus traded in or simply discarded, but this one, remarkably, survived. (I found it when I was invited to look through the storage drawer of a De Luxe that was, sadly, beyond salvation.) I had never seen one of these before, and have not seen one since. I assumed they were only used on the first De Luxes, but recently I discovered that Regina also used them on some music boxes that it equipped, as a premium option, with phonograph mechanisms.
The reproducer measures 2.25” in diameter, and is, as you can see, in very nice, entirely original condition. I have held onto it for many years in the hope that I might someday acquire an early De Luxe, but I never have, and since I don’t really have the space for one anymore, I decided I should pass this reproducer on to another collector who might be looking for one. If you have been searching high and low for one of these and thought you’d never find one, this is your lucky day; I doubt very much you will ever find another. Best of all, I offer it here with NO RESERVE – high bidder takes it!
I will ship this item 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 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 item 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 running out of space and 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!