Name/Title
Graphophone Type CI – Electric Cylinder PhonographEntry/Object ID
254Description
American Graphophone Company, USA, 1897–1899. Early electric business and dictation machine with 6‑inch cylinder capability
The Type CI was one of the first electrically driven cylinder Graphophones produced by the American Graphophone Company. Introduced in 1897, it was aimed primarily at offices, government agencies, educational institutions, and affluent private households. Priced at around $60, it was positioned in the upper performance range of Columbia’s product line.
Technical Features
110‑volt DC motor – built-in electric motor replacing the usual spring motor, providing consistent, low‑maintenance performance.
Universal mandrel – capable of playing both standard 4‑inch wax cylinders and the newer 6‑inch cylinders with extended playing time.
Extended base – lengthened by about 5 cm compared to smaller models such as the Type A, to accommodate longer cylinders.
#2 aluminium reproducer – original Columbia soundbox with hardened stylus tip.
Cast‑iron base – finished in black enamel with gold striping and red floral accents.
Controls – either via a side‑mounted rocker switch or optional pneumatic “air control” with a rubber bulb.
Cabinet – solid oak with hinged front panel and gold‑lettered Columbia logo.
Historical Context
The Type CI emerged during a transitional phase in phonograph technology. Columbia sought to offer machines suitable for both music and speech reproduction as well as for dictation purposes. The electric direct‑drive system eliminated the need for hand‑cranking, making it particularly appealing for professional environments where time and convenience mattered.
The CI belonged to a small family of Columbia electric machines, including the Types C and CE. Unlike the purely mechanical Type C, the CI offered the advantage of constant speed control – a key requirement for accurate speech recording.
Its versatility made it useful in offices as a dictation machine, in schools for language instruction, or in private homes as a high‑end music player.
Significance in the Edisonium Mariazell
The example displayed here shows the Type CI in exceptionally well‑preserved condition, complete with original motor, reproducer, and oak cabinet. The combination of a robust industrial‑grade motor, fine craftsmanship, and the ability to handle multiple cylinder formats marks it as a technical milestone in the early electrification of phonograph design.
