Help Wanted - Salonola British Made Motor

[chrissydretro]

Hi All,

Just came across a bunch of motors and am trying to find some information regarding the manufacture of this motor, the type of machine model it was used for and year of manufacture if possible.

From the limited experience I have primarily with portable gramophone motors, this seems to be of very high quality. For example the parts all seem to be highly polished(chrome finish), the speed control and brake are both precision adjustable.

I have attached some pics for reference.

Your help is very much appreciated.

Thank you,
Chris

[Dulcetto]

That's interesting -- and curious ,as I have a Salonola sound-box which has a paper label behind its mica diaphragm stating " SALONOLA Regd.
Manufactured by Home Recreations Ltd, Sydney ". The slogan on the paper label on its original retail box " Its only rival is --- the Human Voice"
So the plot thickens -- was the Sydney company manufacturing under license to sell in Australia ? Interesting !

[Sidewinder]

Australian made machine. Your motor is probably from a suitcase type machine given the paper covered board it is attached to. Here is a wealth of info on this excellent page:

http://gramophoneoz.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Salonola begins about half way down

"Salonola: - The Salonola first appears in advertising from August 1914 where it states that it is made exclusively for Alex Pogonowski of 23 Pitt St Circular Quay. Prices quoted are from 14 to 25 pounds suggesting a number of different models were available. Heiron and Smith Ltd rarely show the various models they produced in their advertising, which has made identifying them a challenge. It is quoted many years later that Mr Pogonowski was not just the original patentee but also the inventor of the Salonola. etc......"

[Curt A]

Not familiar with the manufacturer, but I agree with your assessment that the motor was made to a high standard of quality. Very few spring barrels are nickel plated (Sonora comes to mind) and the quality of the gearing is obvious, so there is a great attention to detail.

[chrissydretro]

Thank you all for the info provided - much appreciated.

Cheers Chris