The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is one of the most beautiful off-brands I've ever seen, it's just gorgeous.

I feel they're asking a little too much, but I really like it.

I hope a collector a little closer can talk em down a bit and get it.

(https://www.ebay.com/itm/MAH-WIDDICOMB- ... Swp7FaZP~S)

I agree, that's an impressive machine. Thanks for posting. Jerry B.

For me the icing on the cake is that the maker's name is derived from that of a village in Devon, immortalised by the song "Widdicombe Fair". If this fine and rare machine was on this side of the pond it would tempt a few collectors in England's West Country, regardless of price.

Note the various spellings of Widecombe/Widdicombe/Widdicomb etc.

Here is a picture of the factory where the machine was made, taken prior to recent redevelopment.

According to Wikipedia the company was founded in 1858 as furniture manufacturers and went out of business in 2002. Phonograph cabinets were added to the range of products after WW1, so presumably the mechanical components were bought in, but from whom?

epigramophone wrote:Phonograph cabinets were added to the range of products after WW1, so presumably the mechanical components were bought in, but from whom?

I think Heineman, But maybe not the motor?

Here's the one I thought you would be showing; https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Widdic ... SwQwZaZfb5

JerryVan wrote:Here's the one I thought you would be showing; https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Widdic ... SwQwZaZfb5

There's this one too (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Widdic ... SwMGVaUTRR) A good three or four of these have popped up on eBay in just the last week.

Goes to show you that some of these companies that turned out plain bottom end machines were capable of making masterpieces.

Well they came down a little and added a "Make offer" Option. Which I don't think will help much.

I may give it a lot of time, but I really like it. I may try to figure out how to get it a little closer.

(https://www.ebay.com/itm/MAH-WIDDICOMB- ... 2536073586?)