1906 Busy Bee Cylinder Phonograph w/Mint Record * No Replica Parts * Edison Era

Description

If you're an uncompromising collector of antique technology, make sure to check out all my listings after you look at this one. I don't think you'll find a better, broader or more balanced assortment of technical antiques anywhere -- hundreds of no-reserve auctions each year, almost all of them featuring eye-popping "gee whiz" gadgetry in exceptional original condition. And d
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Here's a 1906 Busy Bee cylinder phonograph.  The phonograph is in excellent cosmetic condition and excellent working order, and it's
being offered with a rare Busy Bee cylinder that's almost like new and
is announced as a Busy Bee Record
. The cylinder has no mold, no chips, no issues. The phonograph is complete and completely original, with no replica parts.
The small Busy Bee phonograph was based on the Columbia Q Graphophone and was manufactured by Columbia for the O'Neill James Co. at the turn of the last century. Busy Bee phonographs and cylinders could be purchased directly from O'Neill James via their mail order catalog, but more often than not they were acquired as premiums with the purchase of other products. O'Neill James was based in Chicago, and like most of the Chicago-based phonograph companies at that time, the company made its money
not
on the sale of the machines (which they practically gave away) but on the sale of their cylinders, which were specially tapered to fit only Busy Bee phonographs, and which cost at least 50% more than comparable Edison or Columbia cylinders.  This, of course, is the well-known razor-and-razor-blade scheme, and it was as tried and true back then as it is today.
The phonograph has a strong mainspring and can make it all the way through a cylinder without the need for re-winding. Bedplate enamel is still deep black and glossy, and the multi-colored decorations are still prominent. with minimal wear evident.  Clean mechanism, good floating reproducer.  The 10" cone horn is original, and it's in excellent condition, with original gold accents and just a few minor dings along the barrel.
The Busy Bee cylinder that I'm including with the phonograph is in superb, playable condition, with virtually no wear and no mold. Busy Bee cylinders are typically moldy to the point of appearing to be gray rather than black and not at all playable or for that matter even audibly recognizable. The cylinder comes in its correct original canister (title and tune match the Busy Bee announcement at the beginning of the record).
I'm one of ebay's best known, most highly regarded sellers of collector quality phonographs. I've been selling
and shipping them
for more than 25 years. When you purchase an antique phonograph from me, you'll receive a phonograph that arrives safely because it's been carefully packed (by
me
, not by some well-intentioned but nonetheless confounded, doe-eyed teenager working at the UPS store who wouldn't know a phonograph from a farm tool), and you'll receive a phonograph that includes thorough but easy-to-understand set-up and operating instructions, so you won't be left scratching your head, trying to figure out how it works.  Sure, you can probably get a lower price from Joe and Janet Barn-Find, but when your "bargain" arrives broken, and without any hint of how it works or how you might be able to put it back together, you'll realize that you really do get exactly what you pay for.
That's about it.  I will carefully prep everything for shipping and pack everything carefully and properly. Auction participants with no prior feedback history, or with hidden feedback, should contact me before placing a bid.  Buyer prepays and includes shipping.