Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
- Victrola-Monkey
- Victor III
- Posts: 704
- Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 9:58 am
- Location: Florida
Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
Does anyone know about this machine? Is it rare? Is it generally considered desirable? What do you think it's worth? It is British. Any info or thoughts appreciated. It's available and was considering it for my sis or one of my nieces. Thank you.
-
- Victor Monarch
- Posts: 4172
- Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:23 pm
- Personal Text: I have good days...this might not be one of them
- Location: Albany NY
Re: Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
Ordinarily the Alba is nothing special- but that cabinet is far above average. Worth a few hundred at least.
- phonolamplighter
- Victor O
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 7:12 pm
- Personal Text: Say it With Music
- Location: Portland, Oregon
Re: Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
Alba gramophones were made by A.J.Balcombe Ltd., London, England, founded 1918.
Not much about the company or rarity of their machines, but we have several 'made in England' machines. Most have the Garrard motor and we have never have any trouble with them.
The cabinets range from cheap plywood and veneer to very nice solid wood, with hand carved ornate design.
The machine you are contemplating would be a big YES for us. The previous suggestion of a few hundred would not be out of the question. A lovely example for the feminine side of the family.
All the best,
Not much about the company or rarity of their machines, but we have several 'made in England' machines. Most have the Garrard motor and we have never have any trouble with them.
The cabinets range from cheap plywood and veneer to very nice solid wood, with hand carved ornate design.
The machine you are contemplating would be a big YES for us. The previous suggestion of a few hundred would not be out of the question. A lovely example for the feminine side of the family.
All the best,
Ed and Nancy
- travisgreyfox
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1156
- Joined: Sat Aug 12, 2017 9:25 pm
Re: Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
That's a pretty machine that I would add to my collection. I would even pay $200 for it (and I'm really cheap )
-Travis-
-Travis-
-
- Victor Monarch Special
- Posts: 5227
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:21 pm
- Personal Text: An analogue relic trapped in a digital world.
- Location: The Somerset Levels, UK.
Re: Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
Most Alba machines are worthy but ordinary. This one is of exceptional quality and is worth a place in any collection.
Alba's one claim to fame is that it is the only British gramophone brand name to survive into the modern era. You can still buy an Alba CD player or TV, but you can no longer buy a Columbia, Decca or HMV.
Alba's one claim to fame is that it is the only British gramophone brand name to survive into the modern era. You can still buy an Alba CD player or TV, but you can no longer buy a Columbia, Decca or HMV.
-
- Victor I
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2016 9:14 pm
Re: Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
Great cabinet work. Very classic Chippendale style. Ball and claw feet and Japanesque fretwork and carved molding around the top.
-
- Victor I
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Thu Sep 03, 2015 6:11 pm
- Location: SE Iowa
Re: Alba Upright with Ball and Claw feet
Exceptionally attractive machine!! You would think with that fancy a cabinet it would have gold plated hardware though!
Iowa Dale
Iowa Dale