What model HMV is this?

Discussions on Talking Machines of British or European Manufacture
Post Reply
User avatar
Bruce
Victor III
Posts: 578
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:15 pm
Location: Vancouver, Canada

What model HMV is this?

Post by Bruce »

This HMV is coming up for auction near me and I was trying to identify which model it was before I go look at it in person.
Any ideas?

Thanks
Bruce
Attachments
Feb 2021 02.jpg
Feb 2021 01.jpg

User avatar
epigramophone
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 5656
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:21 pm
Personal Text: An analogue relic trapped in a digital world.
Location: The Somerset Levels, UK.

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by epigramophone »

I do not recognise the case style as a UK model. If genuine, it is probably of European origin.
Perhaps one of our European members will be able to identify it.

Roger.

User avatar
nostalgia
Victor IV
Posts: 1440
Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2019 1:58 am
Personal Text: Keep winding up
Location: My gramophone repair room

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by nostalgia »

I have checked the HMG book ( Proudfoot & Oakley), but I can't find this model in the book, that is covering UK made The Gramophone Company /HMV gramophones. My guess is that it possibly may be a machine made by the German branch of The Gramophone Company, DGAG, also taking into consideration the circular Angel Plaque label shown on the machine, that (again information from the HMG book) normally is found on machines manufactured around 1904 ( at least on machines manufactured in the UK). With my eyes everything on the machine loosk authentic, the morning glory horn, the back bracket and elbow, the wooden case etc. The only part that has been renewed on the machine is the soundbox, where the original Exhibition soundbox has been exchanged with a more modern HMV no 4 style soundbox, even if I can't exactly read HMV no4 on the back side of the sounsbox due to a large adapter attached to the back side of the soundbox.
At least these are my observations, hopefully the HMV experts can give you more information, and confirmations, and even correct my observations if they are wrong.

If the machine is a DGAG machine, it may have a DGAG decal on the horn, even if I can't see that from your photos. I have myself two DGAG horns, and a DGAG decal is found on both these machines.

User avatar
Steve
Victor VI
Posts: 3788
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:40 pm
Location: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, New York, Evesham

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by Steve »

Its the DGAG version (or one of them) of the Victor 1 / Gramophone Co. Monarch, sometimes referred to as the "Baby Monarch".

Its completely genuine but of course you won't find it in HMG because that book does not cover the non-UK variants of HMV. If it did, the book would have been at least five times the size!

Its a real stunner. My guess is that its being offered cheaply. Please PM me if you're not interested in buying it as I would definitely buy it if I get the chance!

User avatar
jamiegramo
Victor III
Posts: 956
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:52 am
Location: St. Albans, UK

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by jamiegramo »

Hello Bruce,

This is a nice example. You can see a few more discussed on this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31840

Jamie

User avatar
Bruce
Victor III
Posts: 578
Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2012 9:15 pm
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by Bruce »

Thanks guys for the information, more evidence why this forum is such a great place for fellow collectors to share knowledge and enthusiasm for a great hobby. The HMV is being offered at a local auction house. I will take a look at it next week during the limited covid restrictions viewing times and then make a play for it.

All the best, Bruce

User avatar
Orchorsol
Victor IV
Posts: 1760
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:03 am
Location: Dover, UK
Contact:

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by Orchorsol »

Really gorgeous! I love that shape of horn. I have a less ornate UK equivalent, and another the same but with the conical horn.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?

User avatar
jamiegramo
Victor III
Posts: 956
Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:52 am
Location: St. Albans, UK

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by jamiegramo »

nostalgia wrote: Sat Feb 13, 2021 3:58 am The only part that has been renewed on the machine is the soundbox, where the original Exhibition soundbox has been exchanged with a more modern HMV no 4 style soundbox, even if I can't exactly read HMV no4 on the back side of the sounsbox due to a large adapter attached to the back side of the soundbox.
To me this looks like the correct Exhibition Soundbox, probably G&T period as it has the earlier round, rather than triangular, needle hole. It would look better with the correct white coloured gaskets.

User avatar
Steve
Victor VI
Posts: 3788
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:40 pm
Location: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, New York, Evesham

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by Steve »

jamiegramo wrote: Sat Feb 13, 2021 3:46 pm
nostalgia wrote: Sat Feb 13, 2021 3:58 am The only part that has been renewed on the machine is the soundbox, where the original Exhibition soundbox has been exchanged with a more modern HMV no 4 style soundbox, even if I can't exactly read HMV no4 on the back side of the sounsbox due to a large adapter attached to the back side of the soundbox.
To me this looks like the correct Exhibition Soundbox, probably G&T period as it has the earlier round, rather than triangular, needle hole. It would look better with the correct white coloured gaskets.
The soundbox appears to be the correct G & T Exhibition. This machine is of diminutive proportions. The tonearm is very slender and shorter than the standard Monarch arms. The elbow is smaller but quite long and of course the back bracket is scaled down to match. This is the small Morning Glory horn. It makes a standard Exhibition look much bigger than it is, hence why some people might mistake it for a No. 4 soundbox.

Its a $1000 or £650-750 machine in anyone's book.

User avatar
Curt A
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6816
Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:32 pm
Personal Text: Needle Tins are Addictive
Location: Belmont, North Carolina

Re: What model HMV is this?

Post by Curt A »

Whatever it is, I would jump on it...

Let us know if you get it.
"The phonograph† is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.

"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife

Post Reply