The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I bought it as it was obvious to me from the original low resolution poorly lit picture that it was oak.

How the auctioneers who had it right there in front of them didn't know that is just inexcusable. A "stained case" anyone?

I'd also question how they can miss the most famous trademark in the world when it appears in the lid? I've also spotted a grey HMV 101 on The Saleroom described as a Columbia in a brown case. Okay.

I was the person who insisted on more photographs and after three polite requests they conceded. However I also asked three times for a condition report or more precisely, a simple "does it work" question.

Eventually, I heard back saying I would have to wait until 2 days before the sale ended. Did I hear or receive anything? Of course not!

1818 Auctioneers weren't at all interested in anything apart from getting my money when the sale had finished. Suddenly they remembered who I was.

With that said I've had universally poor experience with UK auctioneers over the past year. I'm continually astonished how revered antique auctioneers seem to be by the BBC within their rotating roster of antique programs with ever diminishing returns.

I'm not sure why this is when in my humble experience most are seemingly lacking in essential knowledge or just plain common sense!

Congratulations, Steve! I presume you must be close to completing a collection of Colonial HMVs!

Thanks, Carlos.

I can't help wondering if Roger hadn't started this thread and confused the teak issue if I wouldn't have secured it for just £46?!

Please be aware that it's NOT a British Colonial model if you spot another one of these OAK 100's. This is a standard production model made for the French market, albeit probably a very short lived one. Was it a French "colonial model"?If so, you might expect it to be teak. Unlike the teak 100 this one does not have a panelled case. Contrary to what has been suggested in other threads, teak 100s, and not teak 101s, were the first to receive a panelled case.

Doing some rudimentary online searches has revealed the existence of at least 3 other surviving examples, one is in the States, one other was owned by the person who shall not be named in this forum - what happened to that one, I wonder? There must be more out there though, surely?

I guess we'll never know how many were made / sold and why the French company wanted an oak model?

Brilliant ! Really glad that this went to a fellow forum member. A great machine I think.

Does it have a metal plate inside with a number or any markings on the motor board I wonder ? I would find that really interesting to know if possible one day.

I see, Steve, I got confused as well. I presume it has the French La Voix de son Maitre label. I never heard of or saw one before, and the problem with such ultra-rare machines is that even collectors are not aware of them and usually turn them down as forgeries. I've seen that happen every once in a while, and disdainful collectors eventually end up being served a dish of crow. I recall also the other rare Indian machine you showed us here in the forum, a quite nice (and rare) one with the oil bath motor, that most collectors would shun as Indian crap!