Columbia Graphophone Company
In 1901 the Columbia Graphophone Company, taking advantage of the legal fighting of the Berliner interests, and recognizing the advantages of the disc format over cylinders, began to build and market disc records and machines. Hedging their bets, the company retained their line of cylinder products. Both types of machines used the same ornate Columbia styling. Implementing a further series of devious legal manoeuvres, they managed to force Victor into cross-licensing agreements, giving them legal access to the Berliner patents.
Columbia Disc Graphophone Model "AJ"
Built in 1903 and Plays 7" and 10" records.
On the low end of the market smaller, less expensive models were built, some of which were used as promotional gimmicks etc. On the left we have a Columbia Graphophone "AJ" built in 1903 and sold for $3.00. Next to it is a European model referred to as a "Puck"
Columbia Disc Graphophone "AK"
Built in 1904 Plays 7" dics Price $16.00
Columbia and the Standard Talking Machine Company
Unlike Victor or Edison, both of whom guarded the sale and distribution of their products jealously, Columbia was always willing to build mechanisms for other companies to market. However Columbia required changes to these machines so that only special records, not produced by Columbia could be played. The Standard Talking Machine Company was one of the more successful of these companies. Their machines had a larger spindle on the turntable as shown on the one below.
Standard Talking Machine Company Model "AA"
Built by Columbia in 1904 and is identical except for the spindle as the Columbia "AU"