Name/Title
Graphophone Type “BC” Prototype – Twentieth Century GraphophoneEntry/Object ID
156Description
Graphophone Type “BC” Prototype – Twentieth Century Graphophone
American Graphophone Company, Laboratory
Exhibit No. 514 – ca. 1906
Unique Laboratory Prototype – Fully Nickel-Plated, Early Cabinet Design
Historical Background
This extraordinary piece is a true one‑of‑a‑kind from the laboratories of the American Graphophone Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It is the original prototype of what would later become known as the Type BC or Twentieth Century Graphophone.
On the back of the machine is the original brass plate:
PROPERTY OF THE LABORATORY – AMERICAN GRAPHOPHONE CO. – EXHIBIT No. 514
This marking confirms that it was an internal laboratory exhibit and development unit, never intended for commercial sale.
Differences from the Production Model
The laboratory BC differs in many ways from the later production version:
Fully nickel‑plated construction – unlike the black‑finished production models with partial brass trim.
Early cabinet design – identical to the cabinet previously used only on the Graphophone Type GG. This heavy oak case, with turned corner pillars and a distinctive rope‑moulding trim, was used only in the earliest months of production.
Different screw placement and component arrangement – noticeable variations in fastening points, support plates, and control elements compared to the production BC.
Significance & Uniqueness
This is the only known fully preserved example of this prototype worldwide. It not only documents the development stage of one of the most technically advanced Graphophone models of its era, but also reveals the design and manufacturing variations tested during the laboratory phase.
As a dedicated laboratory and display machine, this prototype was most likely used for in‑house demonstrations, trade shows, or dealer presentations. Its outstanding state of preservation and documented provenance make it a key piece in the history of phonograph development – a genuine one‑of‑a‑kind exhibit in the Edisonium Mariazell.
