Columbia

Columbia began selling disc records and phonographs in addition to the cylinder system in 1901, preceded only by their “Toy Graphophone” of 1899, which used small, vertically-cut records. For a decade, Columbia competed with both the Edison Phonograph Company cylinders and the Victor Talking Machine Company disc records as one of the top three names in American recorded sound.

In 1908, Columbia commenced the mass production of “Double Sided” discs, with the recording grooves stamped into both faces of each disc — not just one. The firm also introduced the internal-horn “Grafonola” to compete with the extremely popular “Victrola” sold by the rival Victor Talking Machine Company.

During this era, Columbia used the famous “Magic Notes” logo — a pair of sixteenth notes (semiquavers) in a circle.

In 1936 HMV & Columbia (Merged in 1931 to form EMI) adopted a dating system for EMI products Columbia & HMV Gramophone dating commenced in 1936.

Under the turntable you will see an identification plaque. with a “B”.”B” represented 1936,B/1=1937 or B underline 1=1937 etc. (B underline 20 would indicate 1956). (source: Ian Calderbank, UK).

Gramophones products under the brand “Columbia” began to be produced under the brand HMV. Thus the hinge products are HMV 97 and Columbia 211 which are virtually identical.

Source: Christian Fonck, Geneva