In the evolution of mechanical music, the gramophone followed the phonograph and the graphophone, each of which was invented in the United States. For the gramophone, the music was recorded on a flat disk, unlike the phonograph and graphophone. However in modern usage, the words "gramophone" and "phonograph" are both sometimes used to describe a gramophone or a gramophone record.

The phonograph was invented by Thomas Edison in 1877, and its major disadvantage was that, as well as the reproduction being poor, each cylinder lasted for only one play.

The graphophone was an improved version of the phonograph and went into commercial production in about 1885. Invented at the Volta Laboratory established by Alexander Graham Bell, it used wax cylinders which lasted for multiple plays. However each cylinder had to be recorded separately, preventing mass reproduction, and also resulting in differences in sound between each.

In 1887, Emile Berliner, a more...

15 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Antique oak cased 'Edison' cylinder player by Columbia, New…

Antique Edison Cylinder Player by Columbia

Antique oak cased 'Edison' cylinder player by Columbia, New York and London in estate condition, approx 31 cm high, 37 cm wide, 23 cm deep

A Columbia Viva Tonal Grafonola portable gramophone

Portable Columbia Viva Tonal Gramophone

A Columbia Viva Tonal Grafonola portable gramophone

Columbia 'Viva-Tonal Grafonola'portable gramophone in black…

Vintage Columbia Portable Gramophone in Black Case

Columbia 'Viva-Tonal Grafonola'portable gramophone in black leatherette case, early 20th century. 17 cm high, 30 cm wide, 41 cm deep

A vintage Columbia Gramophone (Grafonola) no.100, Contained in…

Vintage Columbia Gramophone in Lizard Skin Case

A vintage Columbia Gramophone (Grafonola) no.100, Contained in a metal case with red and black lizard skin pattern. Length 32 cm

A vintage Columbia Grafonola Gramophone, in metal case with…

Vintage Lizard Skin Gramophone

A vintage Columbia Grafonola Gramophone, in metal case with lizard skin pattern (reproducer deficient). Dimensions 32 cm x 2 cm

A 1930s vintage Columbia Gramophone in mahogany case, the…

Vintage Columbia Gramophone in Mahogany Case

A 1930s vintage Columbia Gramophone in mahogany case, the spring wound machine with louvered skirt panel and pull out sliding turntable. Height 81 cm

An American Columbia Graphophone type B, no. 146919, oak case…

American Columbia Graphophone with External Horn

An American Columbia Graphophone type B, no. 146919, oak case with small black external horn. Columbia Phonograph Co. New York . Length 29.5 cm

A Columbia Graphophone 'Reproducer' patent 1892 - 1905, with…

Columbia Graphophone Reproducer with Edison Rolls & Needles

A Columbia Graphophone 'Reproducer' patent 1892 - 1905, with six Edison phonograph rolls & a container of medium tone needles

Columbia cylindrical gramophone with horn and cylinders,…

Working Columbia Cylindrical Gramophone with Horn and Cylinders

Columbia cylindrical gramophone with horn and cylinders, working order

Columbia 'Viva-Tonal Grafonola' portable gramophone in…

Portable Columbia Gramophone in Leatherette Case

Columbia 'Viva-Tonal Grafonola' portable gramophone in leatherette case, 19 cm high, 30 cm wide, 41 cm deep

Columbia Graphonola model 117 Tabletop gramophone, sold by Ae…

1920s Columbia Graphonola Tabletop Gramophone by Ae Fisher & Son

Columbia Graphonola model 117 Tabletop gramophone, sold by Ae Fisher & Son circa 1920s

Early 20th century portable Gramophone by Columbia Gramophone…

Portable Columbia Gramophone from Early 20th Century

Early 20th century portable Gramophone by Columbia Gramophone Company late to become Columbia records. Having a wooden fitted box base. 30 cm x 32 cm.

Columbia Graphophone Co. coin-op phonograph type BS, SN506512,…

Columbia Graphophone Co. Coin-Op Phonograph with Glass Cover

Columbia Graphophone Co. coin-op phonograph type BS, SN506512, patented December 1887, with key and winder, and glass cover - penny in the slot machine, 43 cm wide, 26 cm deep, 32.5 cm high 29

Antique Klingsor 'Regent' gramophone phonograph in working…

Antique Klingsor 'Regent' Gramophone Phonograph with Harp-Like Strings

Antique Klingsor 'Regent' gramophone phonograph in working order, upright with harp like strings behind yellow curtained doors, winder and record Columbia included, 42 cm wide, 39 cm deep, 85.5 cm high 28, Built in Germany around 1915.