Both the Dave Cooper book and "His Master's Gramophone" state that in the UK the HMV100 was only available in black. The only other version was the Tropical Teak model assembled in HMV's Calcutta factory for the Indian market. Even the HMV101 was only available in these same two versions ...

Both the Dave Cooper book and "His Master's Gramophone" state that in the UK the HMV100 was only available in black. The only other version was the Tropical Teak model assembled in HMV's Calcutta factory for the Indian market. Even the HMV101 was only available in these same two versions ...

The efforts of the right wing press were as nothing compared to "Project Fear", the unsuccessful campaign of the metropolitan liberal elite which was created to scare the gullible into maintaining the status quo. The public were not fooled by these harbingers of doom and neither was I. I ...

A ball park figure for insurance would be 2000 GBP. I had an identical one ( stand only ) which I sold about five years ago , the internal dividers were missing as is often the case and the lions head masks had been replaced with modern copies . There were also some splits in the panels. So overall ...

Could it be a specialty of the Cie Française? As you may know, until 1915 our spanish Gramophone branch was dependant from the french branch, and called Compañía Francesa del Gramophone. In the spanish catalogues one can find what was named Discos Bebé (baby records) size 125 mm and the cheapest pr...

Not quite accurate. Antiques ( over 100 years old ) are subject to a lower rate of customs DUTY if payable ( over £135 declared value now ). Goods imported into UK from non -EU countries , for example from USA have always been subject to import VAT ( used to be over £18 value if commercial and I th...

All original other than the travelling arm ?? you forgot to mention the turntable felt has been replaced and the winding crank is a reproduction. Perhaps you didn't know that ??

Yes I find it all very grim and inflexible. Antiques are supposed to be subject to much lower VAT but on eBay you have to pay the 20% regardless. I read that people have even had to pay it on items, such as books, which should be exempt. Not quite accurate. Antiques ( over 100 years old ) are subje...

Why do some of the 'year bound' copies start in January and end in December and others start in June and end in May the following year ? Was the publication not produced for a six month period maybe ? Some have red covers and some are black - and I wonder why this is too. I hope this makes sense an...

I have had several portables with far worse mould -- I always use just a slightly damp cloth or sponge to wipe off any mould , then drying off fairly quickly with a separate cotton cloth . Spray cleaner such as Mr Sheen will work too, but I have found just ordinary water ( ie damp cloths and sponges...