So what's the story on this Parlophon?

[gramophone-georg]

Aside from it being overpriced and most definitely NOT restored... is it real, or is it Banus Banus, or is it someone's fantasy piece? I am curious. Thanks much.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTREM-RAR-MUS ... 4320058682

[Curt A]

It looks real to me... but what do I know?

Just curious... what is "Banus Banus" ?

[Curt A]

Not this, I guess...

[gramophone-georg]

Not this, I guess...

Screen Shot 2021-02-09 at 5.23.08 PM.png

Banus- Banus is a family in Spain (I believe) that made reproduction and fantasy gramophones for decades. You can't really call them "Crapophones" because they are quite well made.

Thanks for posting the pics, BTW. Seems getting that done here is above my pay grade.

[nostalgia]

After only two small years in this game ( after a 28 year long hiatus), I would myself be very skeptical to buying this gramophone even for a fraction of the listed price. For instance the tonearm looks very suspicious to me, how it is built and how the parts are connected. The motor is also not impressive...To me the gramophone looks constructed. BUT who am I to know, so I would love to be proven wrong to learn more !!

(If I was selling this gramophone, I would also not sell it with the panel close to falling out, where the back bracket is connected, but that's another story...)

[soundgen]

I think it is original , original Parlophone , motor and soundbox , beautiful art nouveau designed stand / case , Sellers plaque Hess & Co , Deft and perhaps blue Deft tiles in the base ?

[Steve]

I think it is original , original Parlophone , motor and soundbox , beautiful art nouveau designed stand / case , Sellers plaque Hess & Co , Deft and perhaps blue Deft tiles in the base ?

I agree with you, Mike. I think its genuine too. Certainly the arm, soundbox, back-bracket, elbow and motor are genuine Parlophone parts. The horn appears to be right too. Its such a great and unique design if I was in the market for one I'd buy it anyway and not care either way.

[Steve]

After only two small years in this game ( after a 28 year long hiatus), I would myself be very skeptical to buying this gramophone even for a fraction of the listed price. For instance the tonearm looks very suspicious to me, how it is built and how the parts are connected. The motor is also not impressive...To me the gramophone looks constructed. BUT who am I to know, so I would love to be proven wrong to learn more !!

(If I was selling this gramophone, I would also not sell it with the panel close to falling out, where the back bracket is connected, but that's another story...)

The parts are genuine including the tone-arm. I have a genuine Parlophone machine with identical hardware.

[epigramophone]

On 16th November 2018 this similar machine was included in a collectors sale at Lawrences of Crewkerne, which somehow I missed.
It did not sell, but had I attended I might have been tempted. The waste of space of that design is extravagant but stylish.

https://www.lawrences.co.uk/sales/fine- ... -lot/1239/

[soundgen]

On 16th November 2018 this similar machine was included in a collectors sale at Lawrences of Crewkerne, which somehow I missed.
It did not sell, but had I attended I might have been tempted. The waste of space of that design is extravagant but stylish.

https://www.lawrences.co.uk/sales/fine- ... -lot/1239/