Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

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poodling around
Victor V
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Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by poodling around »

Essentially I saw this on ebay - the seller stating it is 'Vintage original':

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VARAPHONE-VI ... rk:37:pf:0


Then I saw this forum thread:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =VARAPHONE


and then I saw this similar model to the recent ebay ad (the base is similar anyway)which seems to mention that it is a reproduction:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... 1835686987

Photo of this:



I also see quite a lot of what appear to be genuine Varaphone's on google images.

Can anyone clarify some issues that seem to revolve around these Varaphone machines please I wonder?

First photo from Worthpoint - second two from recent ebay auction:
Attachments
vara2.jpg
var1.jpg
var.jpg

Phono48
Victor IV
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by Phono48 »

Probably called a Varaphone because it's made of "various" bits and pieces!

Any machine that has that crudely made horn, and cheap and nasty soundbox is definitely a Crapophone!!

estott
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by estott »

I feel secure in stating that the Varaphone pictured is a modern fake incorporating some older pieces from a portable phonograph. It is possible to make these play a record decently, but the collectors value is very slight.

OrthoFan
Victor V
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by OrthoFan »

I just did an image search for "Varaphone" on google. All of the photos it calls up are definitely crap-o-phones, similar to the one you posted.

There was a Veraphone produced, but the ad shows a table top model with an enclosed horn:
Capture.JPG
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OrthoFan

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Victor V
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by poodling around »

Thank you very much Phono48, estott and OrthoFan.

I am now much better informed and know what to think when I see these gramophones thanks to you all.

epigramophone
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by epigramophone »

This should be on every collector's workshop wall :
Attachments
crapophone.jpg

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Victor V
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by poodling around »

epigramophone wrote:This should be on every collector's workshop wall :

A good guide to be very aware of.

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Victor V
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by poodling around »

Interesting variations for this 'make' of gramophone.

This one I actually quite like.

The record looks a bit weird - perhaps it belonged to salvador dali ..... or a werewolf

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/auct ... 1100a7e0b2
Attachments
varap.jpg
varap2.jpg

epigramophone
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by epigramophone »

The angled winder is a dead giveaway that the motor started life in a portable, and the pointless brass "feet" will damage any polished surface the machine stands on. Avoid!

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Victor V
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Re: Is this gramophone a reproduction or original ?

Post by poodling around »

epigramophone wrote:The angled winder is a dead giveaway that the motor started life in a portable, and the pointless brass "feet" will damage any polished surface the machine stands on. Avoid!

Thank you for the advice epigramophone.

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