Name/Title
Graphophone Type “AD” – Home GrandEntry/Object ID
149Description
Graphophone Type “AD” – Home Grand
Columbia Phonograph Company, New York – 1902
Large Combination Cylinder Phonograph for Standard and Grand Concert Cylinders
Historical Background
At the dawn of the 20th century, phonograph manufacturers sought new ways to improve the sound quality and volume of their machines. The Columbia Phonograph Company responded with its so‑called “Home Grand” models – powerful tabletop phonographs with elaborate cabinetry and robust precision mechanics.
The Graphophone Type “AD” appeared in Columbia’s 1902 catalog as one of the flagship models of the Home Grand series. Its unique feature: it could play both Standard cylinders (2″ diameter) and Grand Concert cylinders (5″ diameter). The switch between formats was achieved by removing or sliding off the standard mandrel and fitting the larger Grand Concert mandrel – a quick and simple process requiring only a few steps.
Mechanics & Drive
Motor: Massive six‑spring motor, coupled in two banks of three – exceptional for a domestic phonograph and a guarantee of long running time and steady speed.
Speed Control: Four‑ball governor for precise speed regulation.
Drive: Belt‑driven pulley system with separate pulleys for the feedscrew and mandrel shaft.
Features & Design
Cabinet: Solid oak with finely carved corner columns, decorative moldings, and embossed trim.
Horn: Standard nickel‑plated R‑1 Grand Concert horn; other sizes available as options.
Reproducer: Columbia aluminum soundboxes No. 4 (Grand) or No. 5 – the latter introduced in 1903 as an upgrade.
Ease of Use: Front‑mounted crank, easily accessible speed control, and a hinged motorboard for convenient servicing.
Use & Sound
When equipped with a Grand Concert cylinder, the “AD” produced a significantly higher volume and wider frequency range than standard‑cylinder machines, making it ideal for large rooms, public demonstrations, and refined musical performances in the home.
Using standard cylinders, it remained fully compatible with the most widely available recordings of the period.
Market Position & Rarity
Priced at $75 (including recorder, reproducer, and 14″ recording horn), the “AD” was an expensive machine for its time, and relatively few were sold. Today it is among the most sought‑after Columbia phonographs, particularly in fully original and complete condition.
Significance
Combines versatility (two cylinder formats) with top‑tier performance (six‑spring motor).
An outstanding example of early‑20th‑century American craftsmanship and engineering in high‑end phonographs.
This example at the Edisonium Mariazell survives in superb original condition and demonstrates how Columbia’s “Home Grand Graphophone” set benchmarks for sound, performance, and elegance in its era.
