John:
Dating talking machines by the patent dates that appear on them can be
tricky. How many "1906" Victrolas can you find on eBay during any given
week? The early "Q" Graphophone carries the March 30, 1897 patent date, but I
believe that the only later dates to be found on them are Aug. 13 and Aug 20
1901.
If we're really talking about a Type "Q" Graphophone with a stamped
steel base, you can be certain that it is no earlier than January 1899. You
may
confirm this in Hazelcorn's "Guide to Columbia Cylinder Phonographs" as well
as George Copeland's and Ron Dethlefson's new "Five-Inch Cylinder Book." (On
page 22, Copeland & Dethlefson illustrate an advertisement describing "Two New
Wonders for the New Year" from the January 1899 McClure's Magazine. One of
these is the Graphophone Grand [Type "GG"], the other is "A new Graphophone
with clockwork motor for $5." A half-tone photo shows the Type "Q.") I've
never
seen an 1898 ad for the Type "Q," nor is it shown in the November 1898
Columbia catalogue.
For many years, I believed that the "Q" had been introduced just in
time for Christmas 1898, but revised my belief in the face of irrefutable
documentation.
Regards,
George Paul
