Elegant Columbia Suitcase Gramophone, Very Well Preserved. Great Britain, 1930's

Fine Columbia suitcase gramohpone in spectacular conditon and great working order. It dates from the 1930s, when it was manufactured in Great Britain by the famous English record company. The condition this device is in is really impressive: in spite of being nearly ninety years old, both the suitcase and the mechanism are almost flawless. The suitcases handle is the only part that shows signs of the trace of time, having lost all its outside covering. Nevertheless, this detail does not interfere with the amazing look, excellent performance and beautiful aesthetic of the gramophone. Inside the lid we can see the gramophones monogram and name printed in golden lettering: Viva Tonal-Columbia-Grafonola, and also the model: N1 202. This gramophone was manufactured by the Columbia Gramophone Company, nowadays one of the eldest record companies of Great Britain. Columbia started selling gramophones, as well as cylinder-system reproducers, in 1901. For decades it was one of the leading recording companies of America, together with the Edison phonograph Company and the Victor Talking Machine Company. In 1925 they started recording with the new electric process that improved the sound quality: it was the beginning of the Viva-Tonal era. Viva-Tonal gramophones appeared in the market to compete with the Victor Ortophonic Credenza, and many experts think that surpassed it in acoustic fidelity. As stated before, this gramophones condition is almost impeccable. The black faux-leather covering looks great, with a flat and regular surface with almost no signs of worn. The metal component parts that make up the mechanism look shiny and polished and the motor works wonderfully, providing a neat and clear sound. The reproducer or sound box bears the manufacturers name, COLUMBIA, engraved at its back. Under the turntable we find a screwed white plate with the gramophones model and serial number: Nº B 1288. Because of its beauty and excellent condition, this Columbia gramophone is an special piece. Measurements (closed): Width: 11 in/28 cm. Depth: 15.7 in/40 cm. Height: 6.2 in/16 cm.