Any know what this is ? HMV / Columbia amalgam

[soundgen]

Any know what this is ? HMV / Columbia amalgam portable

[Inigo]

Could it be one of those innumerable Indian or asiatic models? Not much time ago there was a long thread about the innumerable Columbia models in the export Market... the very big case points in that direction probably having a Grand Motor

[Phono48]

[googlevid][/googlevid]This machine is identical to the one pictured below, a Columbia 200, with a couple of noticeable differences. It looks to me that it started off life as a 200, but somewhere along the way, lost the record carrier in the lid. Judging by the poor way the carrying handle has been re-covered and the fact that it appears to be the same material as the cabinet, my guess is that the cabinet has been re-covered, and the HMV transfer added afterwards,especially as there appears to have none of the usual incised lines round the edge of the lid and base, plus the winding handle escutcheon is on the wrong way round. If the lid catch has an embossed "Magic Notes" emblem on it, then there is something definitely suspect about the whole thing, I can't imagine that any manufacturer would put conflicting makes on the same machine, but there again, the 200 was a Japanese made machine, so who knows what happened? Just my thoughts......

[Orchorsol]

Judging by the poor way the carrying handle has been re-covered and the fact that it appears to be the same material as the cabinet, my guess is that the cabinet has been re-covered, and the HMV transfer added afterwards

Those were my immediate thoughts too.

[Inigo]

It looks as indian stuff.. eBay is full of those recovered (indian ?) portables, all with bright new rexine covers in green red or blue, but seemingly inner rusted parts... and the prices are very high! The rotated needle estucheon may obbey to worn out original screw holes in the wood, hidden under the cover, so they have installed it with fresh screwholes in the other position. An easy although unesthetic repair..

[nostalgia]

Barry, now we are in the enigmatic Columbia terrain again..
Can I ask, the model 200 that you posted a photo of, is this your machine?
This model 200 confuses me, a lot. When I check the JP Columbia thread, I can see that I have listed several photos of the Japan made Columbia 200, that looks very different from the photo you now posted, but in between the Japan made model 200, I have also listed a model 200 that looks very very similar to the model 200 you just uploaded a photo of here. This photo seems to be taken in the same room, and is the same machine, but really...I can't remember where I found the photo of this different looking model 200, if I did not receive it from you. Here is the thread link showing both the Japan made model 200, as well as the machine that looks very similar to the model 200 you just uploaded here. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=44519&start=10
Then comes the question of course, does it (again) exist two different Columbia Model portables with the same model number, and if so, where was the non Japan made portable model manufactured?

[Phono48]

The Columbia 200 is mine, and it is the same machine as the one posted previously (both photographed on my bed!). There certainly is a difference between this and the Japanese 200, but why, I can't say. Perhaps one of them wasn't made in Japan, but in a different country where the numbering system differed? I note that in your initial post, there are a number of differences betweeen the Japanese model numbers and the British ones, for instance the Japanese 113a is entirely different to the British version, which was the "luxury" model in the Columbia range, with polished brass fittings and a padded case. (see attached)

Barry

[nostalgia]

Yes, obviously there are parallell Columbia portable models with the same model number that are made in different countries. We have seem this a few times in these Columbia threads now, and also from the last photo you post here of the Japan made 113A, which differs much from the UK made 113A.
It could be interesting to see the handle of your model 200, to check if this machine has the typical Japan made winding handle, or not.

[Phono48]

We have seem this a few times in these Columbia threads now, and also from the last photo you post here of the Japan made 113A, which differs much from the UK made 113A.

You obviously know this, but to clear up any confusion for other members, the 113a I posted (above) is the British version, NOT the Japanese! I have checked and the 200 does have the typical Japanese style winding handle, it even has "Columbia" embossed on the end of the bakelite grip.

Barry

[nostalgia]

I am here posting some of the (several uploaded)photos of the model 200 from the Japanese Columbia thread given in my last post. As we can see this model looks entirely different from your model 200, that you now have confirmed has the typical Japan made winding handle, Barry.
The model 200 we see here, could it actually turn out to be a non Japan made model 200, even if I found it among the Japan made Columbias that was the source for the still expanding list of Japan made Columbias? Myself I can't understand that Nippon Columbia made two Columbia model 200, that are so different?
And one extra question, do we agree that it reads Columbia 200 on this brown machine, the last "0" is a bit blurry on the photo.
If anyone disagree with me on my statements, of course please correct me. I am still very inexperienced in this field, but do my best to collect and sort out the available information in my brain...