Is this a Melba or not?

[Schlick]

My whole life my dad called this a Melba.

But then in 2014 after he passed, someone told me: "In fact, the machine your Father has is a UK G&T Monarch De Luxe #14 with stand. The Melba was called the #15. ... Collector's call the [#15] machine "Melba" because the woman's image in on three sides."

But then I see a #13 called a Melba (here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=48772&p=289123&hilit=melba#p289123).

So, what's the consensus here? A Melba or not a Melba?!

Cheers, Michael

[jamiegramo]

Hi Michael,

Your gramophone is a style 14 De Luxe introduced in Britain, at least, in 1903. This style predates the Melba. The confusion may come from the pedestal which was offered with the style 14 and then the Melba and is sometimes referred to as the ‘Melba’ pedestal or stand. Your machine is quite correct on this pedestal.

You have a great machine there and I prefer it to the Melba. It is a machine I would love to own.

The machine featured in the link you give is a De Luxe II (an overseas version of the ‘New Melba’), this is different to the older style ebonized ‘Melba’. The thread shows that the De Luxe II was sold in Spain as a Monarch 13 but, as far as I know, generally appeared as De Luxe II elsewhere.

Jamie

[OrthoFan]

There are some nice photos of the Melba in this post -- viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2764

OrthoFan

[jamiegramo]

The price list on this catalogue simply shows the style 14 as ‘Style “De Luxe”’. The Style No.15, also shown on the list and at the same price, is the Melba.

[epigramophone]

Here is a period advertisement featuring the Melba :

[Schlick]

Thank you all for the good information!!! From what I remember, he got it from the UK in exchange for having helped handle a collection over there in the mid-sixties. Why dad always called it a Melba is beyond me??!! He seemed pretty informed in this arena!
-Cheers, Michael

[Schlick]

Not sure where this should go, CL and Ebay, Yankee Trader...

But this machine is going up at auction on 20 Nov!

https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/ ... 15E4DE1999

[epigramophone]

The framed display is a nice touch which will add to the interest in this fine machine.
Very few Melba records still have their original covers, especially in such good condition.

[drh]

Note the 23% buyer's premium.

[gramophone78]

What a fantastic and rare set up. However, no matter how many times you use the word Melba.....it won't make it so .