The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Gramophone company NEW MELBA machine at Tennants 20th June


https://www.tennants.co.uk/Catalogue/Lots/429597.aspx

Other machines can be seen here



https://www.tennants.co.uk/Catalogue/Sa ... .aspx#2118

Even with the WWW making the world a smaller place, these don't come up for sale very often.
Shame about the elbow, but hey, we've all done things that seemed like a good idea at the time.
I assume this model replaced the "Black Melba"

Stephen S

They only estimated 200 to 300 pounds? Is the market for the Melba machines that low or are they missing something?

Not trying to be rude, just curious. I love to buy phonographs but have very low experience in trying to actually sell one.

The only report I can find of a New Melba sold at auction is from 27 October 2004, when an example with a spear tip horn made £2151 at Christies.
Tennants' estimates for their New Melba, and some of the other machines in their sale, look distinctly on the low side to me.

https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot ... tails.aspx

They know full well it will fetch much more, but hope that a low estimate will attract customers to attend the auction, and if the customer doesn't get what he wants, he may well buy something else. It's a case of "a sprat to catch a mackerel".

Made £900 + commission making £1089 a bargain !

So this is special because it has a specific cabinet, of mahogany, with ornamentation and the columns on the corner? Or is there more to it?

We US folks generally don't have knowledge as deep as you Europeans on the G&T stuff.

Thanks.

Should have got more than that. Agree with soundgen
It was the top of the line horn machine in c1908 at a cost of £23

I’d love to get in touch with the buyer if anyone knows who it is..?

Cheers, Mario