This looks as if it could be worth a moderate bid for anybody willing to collect it from the Dover (Kent, U.K.) area. I suspect it is the work of a hobbyist; it seems quite well made, although it has not got much of a horn. The Meltrope III sound-box alone is potentially worth nearly double the current bid (although it looks as if it may need restoration), and there is also a curious accessory resembling a screwdriver, called a B.C.N. Renovator, which allegedly could be used to refurbish some particular kind of needle (thorn or fibre, presumably) so that they would last for a hundred sides. Many of us over here will have met with the B.C.N. rotary sharpener, but I have never heard of a tool like this. There are no details of the motor, unfortunately, although the crank-handle may give a clue to some of our experts.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Gram ... Swa9NfmZTo
I am not the vendor.
Oliver Mundy.
Home-made (?) table machine with Meltrope III box (U.K)
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- Victor II
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Re: Home-made (?) table machine with Meltrope III box (U.K)
Thanks Oliver, yes indeed, I spotted it too, have it on a watch and will bid at the end of the auction if it doesn't go too high. The BCN renovator is not the screwdriver included, but the little red object in the 3rd and 4th photos, which is a loop of sprung cardboard or similar with abrasive on the interior surfaces - a cheap and simple alternative to a sharpener - insert needle, pinch and twist. I have a couple of them in my collection of original BCN items. I believe they may have been supplied briefly in the late 1920s or so, before the first proper sharpeners were introduced, but I don't think anyone really knows the chronology.Menophanes wrote:This looks as if it could be worth a moderate bid for anybody willing to collect it from the Dover (Kent, U.K.) area. I suspect it is the work of a hobbyist; it seems quite well made, although it has not got much of a horn. The Meltrope III sound-box alone is potentially worth nearly double the current bid (although it looks as if it may need restoration), and there is also a curious accessory resembling a screwdriver, called a B.C.N. Renovator, which allegedly could be used to refurbish some particular kind of needle (thorn or fibre, presumably) so that they would last for a hundred sides. Many of us over here will have met with the B.C.N. rotary sharpener, but I have never heard of a tool like this. There are no details of the motor, unfortunately, although the crank-handle may give a clue to some of our experts.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Gram ... Swa9NfmZTo
I am not the vendor.
Oliver Mundy.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?
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- Victor II
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Re: Home-made (?) table machine with Meltrope III box (U.K)
Thank you, Andy. It never occurred to me that the little red label (as I took it to be), with the words 'B.C.N. Renovator' on it, was itself the B.C.N. Renovator! I can imagine that in some ways it may be more efficient than most of the more usual rotating or linear devices, since one can utilise the whole area of the abrasive material instead of merely wearing a circle or line down to the bare paper and having to waste the rest.
I have a soft spot for home-made machines. They will never be collectors' treasures, unless of course they are exceptional for their early date or technical interest (or both), but if they incorporate good acoustical and mechanical components they can be excellent workhorses. A couple of years ago I bought one myself, simply for everyday use, and I have never regretted it. That is why I felt I wanted to help this one to find a home, although it appears my intervention was not needed. I am not in competition for it, since I cannot contemplate a six-hundred-mile round trip these days.
Oliver Mundy.
I have a soft spot for home-made machines. They will never be collectors' treasures, unless of course they are exceptional for their early date or technical interest (or both), but if they incorporate good acoustical and mechanical components they can be excellent workhorses. A couple of years ago I bought one myself, simply for everyday use, and I have never regretted it. That is why I felt I wanted to help this one to find a home, although it appears my intervention was not needed. I am not in competition for it, since I cannot contemplate a six-hundred-mile round trip these days.
Oliver Mundy.
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Re: Home-made (?) table machine with Meltrope III box (U.K)
The seller has helpfully pointed out that unfortunately, the diaphragm is damaged and split, and added a photo. Kudos to them - if only all sellers were so conscientious! The damage is faintly visible in one of the original photos, so perhaps someone asked them about it.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?
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OnlineOrchorsol
- Victor IV
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Re: Home-made (?) table machine with Meltrope III box (U.K)
Well, I won the auction at £41 and only had to drive 5 minutes to collect. As suspected, the Meltrope III's diaphragm is only somewhat crumpled and can be straightened - I suppose the damage appeared to be a split to the seller due to the plated or sprayed-on bronze coloured surface treatment flaking off around the damage.
The machine is charming in its odd home-made way and plays better than it should! Judging by the battered leaflet included, the Meltrope has been with it all along or from early in its life - but is rather wasted - I put a rebuilt Goldring soundbox on it which works just as well. I'll upload a video on my YouTube channel at some point soon.
Photos from the EvilBay listing.
The machine is charming in its odd home-made way and plays better than it should! Judging by the battered leaflet included, the Meltrope has been with it all along or from early in its life - but is rather wasted - I put a rebuilt Goldring soundbox on it which works just as well. I'll upload a video on my YouTube channel at some point soon.
Photos from the EvilBay listing.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?
Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?