Very Scarce Spanish HMV Affiliate Gramophone in North Carolina

[Garret]

Definitely not a machine you see stateside every day, even if it is very much a project.

Garret

https://hibid.com/lot/142130985/antiqu ... f=lot-list

[CarlosV]

It is a nice machine, the Spanish HMVs are the most exuberant among the HMV production worldwide. I've seen a couple around here in Europe, but definitely a scarce model, especially in the US.

[Inigo]

Neither the brake not the horn are original. The brake is the typical off-the-shelf added to millions of off-brand machines. The horn is an overpainted typical crapophone horn. Tonearm and soundbox seem also suspicious, and there's a strange connection to the horn, seeking a modern screwed clamp that has underwent some metal treatment or painting, as do the tonearm and soundbox. The base seems original in principle, but all these small holes all around seem like somebody has applied the fake antique maker technique of patting the wood with a stick with nails protruding, to make all these holes seeking to be woodworm holes, something I've seen in many fake antique furniture, even read about it, promoting this technique to 'make' antiques. It all makes me suspect that even the case could be a repro... (?). The tonearm support is also strange. I'd bet all to be false!

[CarlosV]

Neither the brake not the horn are original. The brake is the typical off-the-shelf added to millions of off-brand machines. The horn is an overpainted typical crapophone horn. Tonearm and soundbox seem also suspicious, and there's a strange connection to the horn, seeking a modern screwed clamp that has underwent some metal treatment or painting, as do the tonearm and soundbox. The base seems original in principle, but all these small holes all around seem like somebody has applied the fake antique maker technique of patting the wood with a stick with nails protruding, to make all these holes seeking to be woodworm holes, something I've seen in many fake antique furniture, even read about it, promoting this technique to 'make' antiques. It all makes me suspect that even the case could be a repro... (?). The tonearm support is also strange. I'd bet all to be false!

I think the case is authentic, Inigo, worm holes or not, and the rest, as you noticed, is all fake. On the good side, being an HMV, the case could be saved and real HMV mechanics, apart from the horn, are relatively easy to find (in the UK, not in the US) to replace the fake ones. The main challenge would be to find a replacement horn, which from what I recall is different from those used on the UK machines, but a UK HMV horn would fit. It would be a costly work to restore it, including a decent woodwork to plug extra holes, so a prospective buyer should not pay much for it and be brave enough to face such quest. One alternative is to cough up some thousands of euros and buy the all-original one Jalal had for sale in his Phonogalerie in Paris some years ago, if not sold yet. Or hunt for an original one, an undertaking that might take decades.

[Garret]

The case, motor, and crank are original. The brake isn’t correct, but easily replaced.

I can’t speak to the horn or back bracket, though. As indicated, it’s a project. However when will you see another? This is definitely the foundations for a good project. See here for another, complete original example : https://www.collectorsweekly.com/storie ... -barcelona

[Inigo]

EDITED
Yes, yes... the two of them are projects...

[Garret]

As I mentioned, the example for sale is a project. If someone patient takes it on, they will end up with a nice machine.

[JeffR1]

I wouldn't go near that thing with those worms in there, just because it is old, doesn't mean to say the worms are finished with it.

[CarlosV]

I wouldn't go near that thing with those worms in there, just because it is old, doesn't mean to say the worms are finished with it.

Collecting 100-year old wood pieces involves dealing with worm holes at some point. French machines are particularly prone to worms, but they are to be found in many types of wood and provenances. It takes a little bit of patience to fix the problem: Wearing latex gloves, I use a fine syringe and inject each hole with the worm treatment liquid, slowly filling the hole up until it overflows. Wipe it, let it dry and then I fill the hole with molten wax of the same color of the wood.

[epigramophone]

Someone I knew filled woodworm holes with wax and then left the machine in a sunny position.
The wax melted and emerged from the holes looking like...........worms!

Another method is to ram cocktail sticks into the holes and cut them off flush with the case.
This can prove expensive in view of the number of Dry Martinis which need to be consumed .