HMV pricing

[Torjazzer]

Recently an HMV 157 machine was listed on UK Ebay. After 29 bids, the bidding ran its course with the reserve price not met and the highest bid at GBP 499.

It was re-listed and eventually sold for GBP 658. Is this typical of the current value of a 157? Is the 157 highly prized?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/391205835923?_tr ... EBIDX%3AIT

[brianu]

I've had one of these for years and, despite its being half the size, given the design of the horn, it completely blows away my Victor credenza. And they don't seem at all common, even though they may be considered so in the UK relative to other HMV ortho/re-entrant uprights.

[Steve]

They're good for their size, certainly, but not exactly high on most collectors' shopping lists. The bigger machines blow them away. A good example can be bought here for up to £300. Why anyone is paying £600 for a 157 is completely baffling.

[Torjazzer]

Many thanks for your input.

I recently purchased one locally in Southern Ontario: they were never sold new in North America so I assume it was brought with an immigrant. The condition is comparable to the one listed on Ebay but mine was missing its crank. No problem, as my Credenza crank fits it perfectly. The finish on my tonearm is perfect, not badly tarnished as with the Ebay machine.
The machine is TINY. It is dwarfed by my other cabinet machines yet it is powerful. It's not a true re-entrant: the sound does split but is rejoined at the horn, not a re-entrant chamber as with larger models. That little cabinet is all horn. No room for record storage. Not a bad investment at $100 CAD (around GBP 50)I'd say.

[Steve]

A bargain at the price! The 5A soundbox is worth more than you paid for the entire machine!

It is a "half re-entrant". The sound splits two ways instead of the four on the large Victor / HMV re-entrant models.

[Torjazzer]

[quote="Steve"]A bargain at the price! The 5A soundbox is worth more than you paid for the entire machine!

quote]

The 5A soundbox sends out a pretty impressive sound. However, I have noticed more needle noise than with other orthophonic types. This is one machine you want to keep closed when playing. Is this a common issue with HMV soundboxes or a sign of a needed re-build? There are no other signs such as buzzing or blasting. All in all, I don't think that this machine was played very often.

[estott]

Many thanks for your input.

I recently purchased one locally in Southern Ontario: they were never sold new in North America so I assume it was brought with an immigrant.

Possibly, but in the past decades dealers would go around the UK picking up furnishings and old stuff to be packed into shipping containers. There was a rage for oak furniture in the US and a lot of english oak cabinet gramophones found their way over - along with biscuit tins, toast racks, and used cricket balls.

[Retrograde]

Wow... £658 That's a kings ransom!

For what it's worth, a few years ago I paid $150 USD for mine here in The States. Later I discovered a receipt in the included pile of grimy 1950s records that showed the seller got it for $80 bid in a local auction. Good little machine, has a standard 2 spring workhorse motor that does the job, and the same #5 reproducer as the big brothers.

[epigramophone]

A bargain at the price! The 5A soundbox is worth more than you paid for the entire machine!

quote]

The 5A soundbox sends out a pretty impressive sound. However, I have noticed more needle noise than with other orthophonic types. This is one machine you want to keep closed when playing. Is this a common issue with HMV soundboxes or a sign of a needed re-build? There are no other signs such as buzzing or blasting. All in all, I don't think that this machine was played very often.

HMV were well aware of the increased surface noise problem, which is why the "Close Lid Whilst Playing" transfer/decal was introduced. No such warning appears on earlier HMV cabinet models.

GBP£658 would buy a good 163 in the UK, and I suspect that the 157 which sold for that amount went to an overseas buyer where such machines are in short supply.

[Gramtastic]

Bought mine from my local paper small ads - been in the same family from new and in perfect condition - for £30.
(Actually felt so bad I went back next day and gave the lady another £50 !!)