HMV 111

[Orchorsol]

I thought I’d post about my HMV 111. [Edit - originally posted as HMV 109 in error, as corrected by helpful members below!] Not an exciting machine by any stretch of the imagination, but a good quality tabletop of its day and it has a very special place in my heart, as it has come down the family to me and was in large part responsible for my very wide musical tastes, both listening and playing.

This was owned by my grandparents Gerald and Gertrude who lived in the same house in the Yorkshire village of Masham (where the Theakston brewery is) from when they were married until Gerald died. When I was young and my mother, father and elder brothers went on various holidays, I stayed with them. Grandpa would always get the gramophone, and what I remember as a huge pile of 78s, out of the attic. This was my favourite thing – I would spend hour after hour lost in the magical world of listening.

There was a huge range of musical styles amongst the records including fine classical and a number of (as I now know) rare jazz and hot dance 78s – e.g. Mound City Blue Blowers, Cotton Pickers, Gene Rodemich etc all on original UK-issue Brunswick Cliftophones, and some really hot acoustic Jack Hyltons. The 1920s content was pretty unusual for UK tastes of the 20s, and years later when I began to realise that, it was too late to ask about it. All I know is that they were great dancers in their day... Placing things into context, the Mound City Blue Blowers record was issued here in 1925 (2849, Gettin’ Told/Play Me Slow, same year as the US issue) and their first child, my mother, was born in 1927.

After a few years of my use when visiting, the spring broke or became detached and it was impossible to use the machine. Because of my love for the records my grandparents bought me a little 1950s tabletop Philips radiogram to use when I was there, which was good, but not the same character or ambience at all!

Much later after my grandfather died and the house had to be cleared – I was in my mid teens – I was asked if I wanted anything. Of course, the gramophone and 78s! The one other thing I wish I had thought to save was the 1920s dress-up bear suit which was horribly uncomfortable as its head was all wire and straw inside, but you could turn yourself into a quite sinister looking period teddy bear. Some years later still I finally got the gramophone's motor fixed – that would have been about 20 years ago now – and my collecting passion resumed.

I’m no expert so others might correct some of the following details. I’m told this 111 is one of the first variations, which dates it to 1925. It has some nice features e.g. a roller-bearing lid stay usually found on bigger cabinet machines, and the early brass backed No. 4 soundbox. It also has the early manual-set automatic stop (later ones had a more complex design). The floating speed indicator is the early type with a tiny 'watch spring' needle return (later ones had a straight thin wire spring).

[Phonofreak]

A good friend of mine has one of these machines. Though they are small in size, they are very loud and clear.
Harvey Kravitz

[Phono48]

That's an interesting speed dial. I don't think I've ever seen one with the "86" and "70" markings. The No.32 motor in my machine has the same dial, but with just the usual "F" and "S".

With the greatest respect, I don't think that's a model 109! The 109 has doors that are inset from the edge of the cabinet, and the lid stay is on the other side of the lid. The speed control is different, being the later quadrant model.Same motor, soundbox, arm etc, just a different cabinet. Just checked in the HMV book, and confirmed that it is definately a 111. (1925-1929). This model used the same cabinet as it's predecessor, the 110, but had to have a chunk cut out of the inside of the lid to accomodate the No. 4 soundbox. (The 110 used a shorter arm and a smaller soundbox) Model No.9 had no cut-out in the lid.

[estott]

I beg to differ on one point: I have a 109 (the number is stamped on the frame under the motorboard) and it does have the cut out in the lid.

[Orchorsol]

Thanks, all information and corrections gratefully received! So from the last two posts, is it agreed this is a 111?

[Phono48]

I beg to differ on one point: I have a 109 (the number is stamped on the frame under the motorboard) and it does have the cut out in the lid.

You're right, and thanks for putting this point right. We never cease to learn!

[mjbramham]

My 156 has the same speed dial with the '70' and '86' markings on it. Maybe they are only present on units made within a certain time frame? It certainly looks like you have a nice machine there though. I like the sound box with the writing behind the diaphragm, too. I haven't seen many of those.

[epigramophone]

If it has been owned by the same family from new, any machine, no matter how ordinary, becomes special.

My Columbia 204 portable was bought as a 21st birthday present for an aunt in 1934, and was left to me when she died in 1963. It is the last machine that I would ever part with.

[Ian]

The Columbia in your picture is rather overshadowed by the sight of your handsome Morris Eight Series 'E'. I also run about in one of these, a 1939 model. Great fun!

[Valecnik]

Two very nice stories about the 111 and also the portable. The family history certainly does make them special.

I had the German version of the 111, not sure what it was called, but sold it several years back. I was impressed by the sound quality for such a small machine. It really sounded great. The one thing I did not like about it was that the motor seemed a bit underpowered. I had to wind it all the way to play a record and I was always afraid I would going to break the spring. It never happened though.