Are Senior Monarch Gramophones very sought after?

[Marco Gilardetti]

And that's my point. While there is an EMI archive and everybody seems to believe that "HMV" is well researched, collectors everywhere know very little about what was going on outside

You're really stretching what I have written *way* over what I have actually written. And perhaps also over the subject of this topic.

As a matter of fact Senior Monarchs are sought after, and in my opinion this is mostly (or partly) due to the fact that it's very easy to find information about HMV models and products range. And this information is available on the internet, for free: newbyes don't even need to select and purchase a book. An intelligent man/women, perhaps already accustomed to collecting, can acquire in 2-3 hours of free readings a basic knowledge of HMV's models (which were the entry-level ones, and which were the top), a gross estimate of their value on the market, and rudimentary skills on how to avoid counterfeit items. But preminently he/she will very clearly understand that HMVs are highly collectible gramophones that will never loose their value. The same thing is perhaps true about Columbias, Zonophones, Pathés, but it's just not as easy to find, read and grasp. It's enough to decide that you will begin with an HMV, at least in my opinion.

I'm sure most collectors would rather salivate over pictures of early Spanish and Italian "Monarchs" than the seemingly endless parade of Victrola styled table and cabinet models?

Indeed they would, but to what end? There is virtually no italian Monarch available on the market. And even if information about italian Monarchs would be easily and widely available, still there would be no gramophones to buy. So, after having searched high and low for a while, I figure people would finally purchase the same ol' british or german HMV Monarch. Just as I did, by the way.

[SydneyAde]

Thanks again Steve, Marco, epigram & Starkton

Your respective insights really make fascinating reading, explaining why is it so…

I'm also humbled by the insights, intelligence and generosity of members who invest so much time, support
and energy in providing advice and information.

Although I purchased my first Edison (legless A100) over 35 years ago, it sat gathering dust
until 2013, when I revived my interest, which became a little bit of an obsession, although thankfully,
I've moderated my behaviour, well, I was forced to, as I now have a not insignificant number machines,
in various states of repair, mostly Edison, to work in my impending retirement.

I tried to limit myself to Edisons given the plethora of machines out there, but got slightly caught up
not being able to resist the "other" pieces of this art, ie, HMV etc, etc, etc.

I suppose we are all involved in this hobby at various levels, and I'm pretty certain there is not a one size fits all,
in terms of the way we engage with this hobby. It can be so incredibly complex, and involve so many different sciences.

Just reading the articles on sound fidelity, rebuilding reproducers, renovating cabinets, painting/enamelling, the different gems used
as styli, development in diamond styli, motors, bearings, springs, nickel and chromium plating, the list goes on, I realise what a novice I am.

I think I will aim to try to be faithful to the old methods as possible, although when I find I have, say, a bedplate that requires a complete refinish,
I might resort to a duco finish as used on motor vehicles, replacement transfers and finished in shellac, does that sound reasonable?

I have also been purchasing broken machines for parts and boxes of the old slotted head screws (mainly from the the mother country). I feel like a bit
of a "gunna" at the present time as I have not yet seriously kicked things off. I'm aiming to make more time for the hobby as I finish off some major work/repairs on
my old house, and then gradually things will take off when I retire, absolutely mindful, there is not time like the present…

Hopefully most of my satisfaction will come from the pride and joy gained from engaging in the hobby. ade