What is this ?

[Gramtastic]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Gramo ... 20f0b89c18

It appears to have a coin slot in the case (photo 11)! Frankenphone ??

[epigramophone]

I cannot explain the presence of what looks like a coin slot, but the machine appears to be a perfectly genuine HMV Monarch Junior of the 1907-1910 period.
It would of course have had an Exhibition soundbox as original equipment. The soundbox presently fitted looks like a Thorens.

[alang]

I have seen several machines that all seemed legitimate and all had some kind of coin slot with no sign of ever having any kind of coin mechanism installed. I am wondering if business owners back then simply used some kind of honor system instead of buying a more expensive coin machine. Much like you see today with farm products at the roadside; pick and leave money. I don't have any other evidence though, but seems like a possible explanation. Does anyone know?

Thanks
Andreas

[estott]

I've seen some music boxes fitted with a coin slot that has a bell below it- dropping the coin strikes it, but you turn the box on yourself. If the owner didn't happen to hear the bell ring before the box started playing he'd ask you for your penny.

[CarlosV]

My guess is that the coin mechanism was removed, which was common practice when the machines were retired from commercial service and transferred to a home. I have a Pathé machine with a coin mechanism that certainly was not installed at the factory, as it looks crude, but still worked (and still does) effectively. Call that "customization".

[tinovanderzwan]

i seen quite a number of these gramophones with a coin slit but with no evidence of any type of mechanism ever having been there
this is what you would call a ''bar machine'' it would be situated on the bar of a pup you would give the barman a penny and he would wind and play the machine with maybe a requested record you could say it was a pups piggy bank

in europe it was quite common to see a gramophone on the bar of a pup or cafe many of these had card clubs or fishing clubs and the gramophone would pay for the clubs day out or for a big tournament

as i said piggy bank in phono shape


tino

[gramophone78]

Some European collectors believe the coin slot was added as a way for cafe owners to charge a toll to hear a song (like a jukebox)to patrons. No coin mech was needed. Either the owner controlled the machine or it was on a honor system.

It was also a way for the cafe owner to cover the cost of not only the machine, but the cost of records and needles.

It was also an inexpensive way for a shop owner, than to buy an expensive coin operated model.

[Starkton]

Some European collectors believe the coin slot was added as a way for cafe owners to charge a toll to hear a song (like a jukebox)to patrons. No coin mech was needed. Either the owner controlled the machine or it was on a honor system.

Much the same as on this gramophone: http://tinyurl.com/qgpp2sw
PS: I know it has the wrong horn

[US PHONO]

Starkton - you mean oak horn on Mahogany Base? Still looks good.

The deluxe you have has the decoration in gilded metal wheras the similar machine that was discussed in the forum last week was similar except the decoration was of "pressed sawdust". Does anyone know the reason for the variety?

The machine currently under discussion has the problem of repainted horn, and missing some mahogany beading around the top under the lid. Otherwise a nice machine!

[Starkton]

The deluxe you have has the decoration in gilded metal wheras the similar machine that was discussed in the forum last week was similar except the decoration was of "pressed sawdust". Does anyone know the reason for the variety?

Both varieties were built in Germany. The "pressed sawdust" (are you sure it isn't handcarved) model was exported to Great Britain. I guess British customers preferred understatement even in decoration Quite in contrast to the French, of course: There is a third variant with slightly different gilded decoration for the French market.