Post by roaring20s on May 26, 2009 1:33:00 GMT -6
A travel box of song with a few recognizable items for scale.
MAKER: Colibri (made in Belgium)
MODEL: Colibri?
SERIAL #: 1642 (on the bedplate next to the turntable)
YEARS: 1925 - ? (the start date is verified by gramophone's newly acquired pamphlet)
ORIGINAL COST: ?
CLOSED SIZE: 4.75"(L) x 4" (W) to the speed control x 3.75" (H)
OPEN SIZE: 9.75" (L) x 4" (W) x 2.75" (H) to the top of nut.
TURNTABLE SIZE: A full 1.25"
REPRODUCER:
A branded mica type on this machine. Later machines have been seen with a reproducer similar to that of the aluminum diaphragm Thorens type.
MOTOR: I'm afraid to open that compartment.
HORN DIMENSIONS: 3.5" x 4.75" x 1.75
REPRO PARTS: None. Missing the strap.
CURRENT VALUE: $300 to $500 or higher with a case, pamphlet and box!
INTERESTING FACTS:
The way that the storage compartment converts to the horn is very interesting. This will play up to a 12" disc with ease. Colibri is French for Hummingbird.
FAVORITE CHARACTERISTIC:
This is a very fine and powerful instrument. Its quality surpasses the second version of the Thorens Excelda. I have not encountered the first style Excelda to compare it to.
From left to right is the strap holder, top is the on/off switch, bottom the speed screw and the crank port. The case is all metal construction and a good hinge.
The reproducer and crank stow in the lid with the tone arm assembly.
The tone arm is attached to a plate that lifts and is clipped, level to the top.
The arm is pulled out.
The reproducer attached, resting on the turntable.
The lid has become a chamber and the sound exit. This side has the horn opening.
A spring loaded door (partially propped open here).
Fully opened, it clips into place.
Up to a 12" record can be played.
The logo is a Hummingbird.
CAPS has a great overview of cameraphones here
www.capsnews.org/apn2007-6.htm
The following provides good overall views of this unit and others. I used this source on the Excelda PhonoFocus. On it I noted that they had the record locking nut from the Colibri. It seems to me that this unit has the Excelda's nut. Ooops.
www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/themes/recordplayers/colibriaccess.html
The date is misleading. (See the stock certificate for an earlier starting date.)
This next link I believe to be a second version. Note the difference in the tone arm. The reproducer has a different spring screw set-up too. This reproducer is stamped "Swiss Made" and slides over the arm, not into it. This link shows its leather carry case as well.
collection-frioud.ch/view.php?IdO=115&P=347&IdG=18&lang=en
This is a later version reproducer similar to that of the aluminum diaphragm Thorens type. Marked Maestrophonic No. 18, Fabrication Suisse and is also the slip over the arm type.
I lost the link to this image. I am glad I made a copy of it. This Stock Certificate has a date of 1925 printed on it. I found the link to the French site...
perso.crans.org/~woessner/colibri.html
Forged with the hammer of the gods, Zeus breathed life into this box and gifted it to the mortals. Behold, the hummingbird!
As always, if you have questions, information to add or to correct something I have written, please add it to the post.
James.