Graphophone Bell-Tainter

• alternative name: American Graphophone || Columbia Recording

Graphophone, circa 1890. It is one of the rare original graphophones, which played cardboard cylinders covered in wax. They were often called "Bell Tainters" and were battery operated or, as in this case, pedal operated. This example also has a threadable chuck for playing regular Edison-type wax cylinders.

Original description from: “Fonografi e Grammofoni” by Christopher Proudfoot, Italian edition “Silvana Editoriale” 1980

Grafofono, 1890 circa. É uno dei rari grafofoni originali, che suonava cilindri di cartone ricoperti di cera. Vengono spesso chiamati "Bell Tainter" e funzionavano a batteria o, come in questo caso a pedale. Questo esemplare ha anche un mandrino infilabile per suonare i normali cilindri di cera del tipo Edison.

Descrizione originale da: “Fonografi e Grammofoni” di Christopher Proudfoot. Edizione Italiana Silvana Editoriale, 1980. 

Reiss lists this as manufactured pre-1894 and very rare with an estimated value of $25,000 USD (2007).

Here you find 114 models, 80 with images and 34 with schematics for wireless sets etc. In French: TSF for Télégraphie sans fil.
All listed radios etc. from Columbia Phonograph, American / Volta Graphophone Company; USA