Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Discussions on Talking Machines of British or European Manufacture
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poodling around
Victor V
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Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by poodling around »

I haven't seen one like this before.

Thank you for any id help you can give.


https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/auct ... ee010327bb
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Teak
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by Teak »

that is a PA(A)O (Portable A Oak) ,hmvs first portable.

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by poodling around »

Teak wrote:that is a PA(A)O (Portable A Oak) ,hmvs first portable.
Wow ! that sounds really interesting. I have never heard of them.

Thank you very much for the information.

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by poodling around »

Oh, are these quite rare I wonder ?

epigramophone
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by epigramophone »

This heavy bulky expensive (£15 in 1920) machine was not a best seller, so surviving examples are uncommon. It is more like a table model with a carrying handle than a true portable.
It was not until they introduced the Model 101 in 1925 that HMV were able to challenge the Decca's position as the pioneer and leader of the British portable market.

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by poodling around »

epigramophone wrote:This heavy bulky expensive (£15 in 1920) machine was not a best seller, so surviving examples are uncommon. It is more like a table model with a carrying handle than a true portable.
It was not until they introduced the Model 101 in 1925 that HMV were able to challenge the Decca's position as the pioneer and leader of the British portable market.

Thank you very much epigramophone.

I must say that being uncommon and liking the machine (when the lid is closed particularly), oh, and not being on ebay, makes me wonder about trying to get it.

The fittings though (tonearm etc) do remind me of my old floor standing HMV fittings - which because of woodworm I had to turn into a Frankenphone. Solid, but not that different inside maybe.

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by poodling around »

Can someone give an estimate as to how much these are worth please I wonder ?

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alang
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by alang »

If that was near me I would have been on my way the moment I saw it. The HMV PAAO portable was one of my favorites ever since I saw the first one. I like early attempts to solve a problem, with all the imperfections. I love that it's wood and not cloth covered. They may be uncommon in the UK, but in the US they are rare.

Andreas

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poodling around
Victor V
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by poodling around »

alang wrote:If that was near me I would have been on my way the moment I saw it. The HMV PAAO portable was one of my favorites ever since I saw the first one. I like early attempts to solve a problem, with all the imperfections. I love that it's wood and not cloth covered. They may be uncommon in the UK, but in the US they are rare.

Andreas

Thank you for the interesting information and viewpoint.

The more I think about it (and after your comments) the more I want it.

epigramophone
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Re: Please id this HMV portable Gramophone

Post by epigramophone »

poodling around wrote:Can someone give an estimate as to how much these are worth please I wonder ?
Valuation is all about comparison, and I don't have any details of other PAAO's sold at auction. This one is in a general sale, and unless other collectors have noticed it I would expect it to sell for well under £100. It should clean up nicely, but don't expect great sound.

If you live near the saleroom, why not go along during viewing hours to examine and try the machine. It comes with a quantity of records, but remember to take a few needles with you. The auction staff should not mind you test playing a record, provided that you ask them first. My local auctioneers are used to this, as my reputation is well known ;) .

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