Do you know this reproducer, part 2

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nostalgia
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Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by nostalgia »

Since we in the last thread also look at reproducers/soundboxes, why not continue. I found this soundbox for sale on Ebay right now. I am not about to put a bid on it, since I don't really need it, but it still could be interesting to identify it. In particular also because there is a trademark on the soundbox, that is unknown to me. There is always something to learn, and knowledge is always welcome, so the question is quite simple, does anyone recognize the soundbox, or the trademark (Melodia Electric)?
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gramophone-georg
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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by gramophone-georg »

That looks like an HMV/ Victrola No. 4 clone, likely from an Eastern European manufacturer or possibly the Soviet Union but made for Western Europe as not Cyrillic. Think "Melodiya" (as it is sometimes spelled) which was the Soviet state record company- either that or it's unrelated, but I don't think so.
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jamiegramo
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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by jamiegramo »

I believe this is by the German Homophon/Homophone Company. They used the Homocord/Homochord name aswell as Melodia Electric and Homocord Electro.

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nostalgia
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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by nostalgia »

Actually, this container go along with it, I thought the box was unrelated, because of the different name on it, but I understand now it most probably belong to the soundbox. I guess you nailed it Jamie? But what about the different trademark logos, any explanation, guesses....? Is it only me, or is there a "F" inside the "Melodia Electric" soundbox logo? This company is all new to me, as most else outside the HMV/Columbia arena.
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Last edited by nostalgia on Sat Jun 06, 2020 3:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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nostalgia
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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by nostalgia »

I was able to find some photos of a Homocord reproducer. ( More photos added after Jamie's comment in the next post)
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Homocord soundbox3.jpg
Homocord soundbox3.jpg (8.44 KiB) Viewed 1504 times
Homocord soundbox2.jpg
Homocord soundbox2.jpg (8.14 KiB) Viewed 1504 times
Homocord soundbox.jpg
Homocord soundbox.jpg (33.97 KiB) Viewed 1509 times
Last edited by nostalgia on Sat Jun 06, 2020 2:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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jamiegramo
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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by jamiegramo »

It's true the box may not belong but the Homocord Electro soundbox looks very similar to the Melodia Electric soundbox.

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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by epigramophone »

nostalgia wrote:Actually, this container go along with it, I thought the box was unrelated, because of the different name on it, but I understand now it most probably belong to the soundbox. I guess you nailed it Jamie? But what about the different trademark logos, any explanation, guesses....? Is it only me, or is there a "F" inside the "Melodia Electric" soundbox logo? This company is all new to me, as most else outside the HMV/Columbia arena.
Originally named Homokord, this company operated under the Homocord name from 1924 to 1932, when it was taken over by the Lindstrom Group.
"Electro" was added to the name when Homocord began recording electrically in early 1926.

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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by soundgen »

Melodia gramophones NZ advert I like the typo Parlorphone or perhaps someone has a label ! :D
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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by soundgen »

Melodia

of 99 Highbury Quadrant, London, N5

1922 Listed Exhibitor. Manufacturers of Quality Gramophones and Accessories, including the Ultone Sound Box, the Ultone Ball-bearing Arm, the Ultolite, the Ultostop, the Minster Sound Box, etc. (Stand No. B.17)
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Re: Do you know this reproducer, part 2

Post by soundgen »

Cracking article on USA manufacturers including but with no details

236. Melodia – Melodia Phonograph Company, 400 North Sangamon Street, Chicago, Illinois. February 1920 TMW

https://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talk ... j-wakeman/

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