Exciting and Odd Find - HMV 32

[phononut]

I thought I’d share with my fellow forum members a recent find of mine, that took me by surprise!

I live in a region where finding external horn phonographs is very uncommon. Even more so, I never dreamed I would own an HMV 32, but I am so thrilled to own it and have the experience of restoring it and bringing it back to life.

I found this machine in the wild. It was from an estate of world travelers, from which their home was filled with Asian antiques. The price tag wasn’t very low, but I was pleased to snap it right up. There are some issues, such as missing governor weights, crank escutcheon, reproducer, some wear and corrosion, but nothing I can’t handle.

What is most curious to me is the story behind this machine, which I am trying to decode. The “green corrosion” on the brass parts suggests to me this machine was in a very humid climate. Further, the machine came with some records. Many are Dutch, with sleeves stamped with dealer markings from “DJAKARTA” and “BANDUNG”. Both these cities are within Indonesia, and with some extended investigation, I found they are both old Dutch colonies. I am going to assume this machine was marketed for the Tropics, and owned by a Dutch colonist in Indonesia. Totally fascinating, and bizarre to have migrated to Alberta!

Resources regarding these machines is limited. I can not find a copy of “His Masters Gramophone” anywhere. I imagine this is a fairly scarce machine. I hear they are good performers, especially with the behemoth 4 spring motor. I would love to see some photos and hear insight from fellow forum members. Is there a unique story behind the origin of your HMV 32?

I also believe the speed control has been replaced with someone’s careful copy in the distant past. If someone would be able to let me know if these “window” speed controls were universal among HMV machines, that would help me a lot in finding a replacement.

As always, appreciate everyone’s input

Best
Brad

[AZ*]

They are nice machines. I bought a mahogany one on ebay in 2002, and an oak one at the Union Show in 2004. Does yours have a model number tag under the used needle cup? I use a photo of the mahogany one with red horn as my avatar. The oak one is pictured below. The speed control is the standard, very common window dial type used on countless HMV and Victor machines. The other parts you need can be obtained readily. You will need an HMV #4 soundbox. The motor parts are common to Victor and other HMV machines.

[poodling around]

A very good read !

Is there any chance you could show pictures of the records and sleeves you mention I wonder ?

It would be great to see those too.

[phononut]

Thanks for your reply’s!

AZ, that’s a beautiful machine. Mine is in oak, I think after some patience it should clean up nice. I will chase after those parts, good to know it’s not a too particular part to find.

There is no data plate at all on my machine. As you can see the decal on the front is almost entirely worn off. I am leaning to leaving this alone, but I could perhaps apply a new decal overtop. I am nervous this would stick out and look awful. Any thoughts on doing this?

Here are the photos of the records sleeves:

All the best
Brad

[nostalgia]

Congrats:) Very interesting find. I love the look of these HMV gramophones

[Inigo]

My suggestion: clean it, try to preserve that old decal. I would not add a new one. I've restored heavily in the past, but I'm repented. Now I prefer a thorough cleaning, waxing, heading, etc, and leave old things to tell their story, as far as they work with no detriment to the record being played... It is, of course, the mica and rubber gaskets, etc, these must be changed. But for instance, an old turntable felt, as long as it works (i.e. protecting the record from scratching on the turntable steel), I would leave it although it may show some scares. I've replaced the felt on my grand machines and now I'm repented. They look too new and anachronic... Now I'd have cleaned and no more.
Even you can fabricate a new turntable felt but not adhere it, just put it on the turntable when you're going to play records.

[AZ*]

I have mixed feelings about the decal. I agree that it would stick out if replaced. Some people seem to want a machine that looks brand new, but those machines often look over restored to me. The case on yours, except for the decal, looks acceptable. The decal on my mahogany HMV 32 is a bit tired, but I have avoided replacing it even though replacements are available on ebay from the fellow in Peru. I would not be surprised if when you open the spring barrels, you discover that one or more of the springs have been spliced with rivets.
Here are photos of the speed control and model tag from my oak machine.

[poodling around]

Thank you for posting images of the record sleeves. Fantastic Gramophone find too !

[epigramophone]

The HMV 32 was catalogued from 1927 to 1932. The design of the transfer (decal) on your machine was introduced in 1928, and is later than the one on AZ's.
If you do decide to replace the transfer, and if it was mine I would, the new one could perhaps be "aged" after fitting with a light oak satin varnish stain.

[Sidewinder]

Congratulations!

The correct speed control might turn up in England as many cabinet machines were fitted with the same design.

The excellent HMV book by Brian Oakley & Christopher Proudfoot notes that to 1931, 441 Model 32 in Oak, and 118 in Mahogany had been sold in UK.