HMV 'School' Gramophone ?

[poodling around]

Is this a model produced for schools ?

The only one's for schools I have seen on here are from the USA - but they look kind of similar maybe ?


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325627190972 ... R_ac2tD0YQ

[OrthoFan]

There's hardly anything online about the HMV school models, but according to "HMV Gramophones 1921 to 1936" there was the "School Model (G.F.B.O)" listed in 1921 which is nearly identical to the Victor model except it shows it with a metal horn, along with the HMV model 27, listed in 1924/1925. The model 27, frankly, looks like an outside horn gramophone sitting on top of a bunch of stacked wooden boxes.

I couldn't find any online images of either model.

OrthoFan

[poodling around]

There's hardly anything online about the HMV school models, but according to "HMV Gramophones 1921 to 1936" there was the "School Model (G.F.B.O)" listed in 1921 which is nearly identical to the Victor model except it shows it with a metal horn, along with the HMV model 27, listed in 1924/1925. The model 27, frankly, looks like an outside horn gramophone sitting on top of a bunch of stacked wooden boxes.

I couldn't find any online images of either model.

OrthoFan

Very interesting indeed.

Oh, the seller has just stated that it is an HMV Model 26 School Gramophone apparently.

[Steve]

Yes, it's The School Model. Thanks for reminding me I have one in my shed waiting for restoration. It's only been waiting 12 years!

As Orthofan so correctly states, unlike its Victor cousin, the HMV identical version was never fitted with the wooden horn, only the MG type.

[poodling around]

Yes, it's The School Model. Thanks for reminding me I have one in my shed waiting for restoration. It's only been waiting 12 years!

As Orthofan so correctly states, unlike its Victor cousin, the HMV identical version was never fitted with the wooden horn, only the MG type.

I wish you hadn't said that - I can't stop thinking about buying a shed now to clear out the gramophone room !

Anyway, it sold for £ 175. I think the buyer should be very happy and perhaps the hunt for a horn 'is on'. (Which I guess would cost a lot more than £ 175) ?

[CarlosV]

Anyway, it sold for £ 175. I think the buyer should be very happy and perhaps the hunt for a horn 'is on'. (Which I guess would cost a lot more than £ 175) ?

The HMV version is much rarer than the US Victor, but their similarity allows the new owner to import a nice Victor wooden horn from the US, it will cost more than the machine but it will be worthwhile and will look nicer than the original tin horn. I have the Victor version, a beautiful one I bought from Raphael years ago, it has a good sound and the large wood horn is very attractive.

[poodling around]

Anyway, it sold for £ 175. I think the buyer should be very happy and perhaps the hunt for a horn 'is on'. (Which I guess would cost a lot more than £ 175) ?

The HMV version is much rarer than the US Victor, but their similarity allows the new owner to import a nice Victor wooden horn from the US, it will cost more than the machine but it will be worthwhile and will look nicer than the original tin horn. I have the Victor version, a beautiful one I bought from Raphael years ago, it has a good sound and the large wood horn is very attractive.

Very interesting CarlosV.

I must admit I would really have liked to have purchased this one but I have a very common problem it seems - no more room !

I think they look very unusual and very good, as you say, a wooden horn would be brilliant !

[Steve]

Yes, it's The School Model. Thanks for reminding me I have one in my shed waiting for restoration. It's only been waiting 12 years!

As Orthofan so correctly states, unlike its Victor cousin, the HMV identical version was never fitted with the wooden horn, only the MG type.

I wish you hadn't said that - I can't stop thinking about buying a shed now to clear out the gramophone room !

Anyway, it sold for £ 175. I think the buyer should be very happy and perhaps the hunt for a horn 'is on'. (Which I guess would cost a lot more than £ 175) ?

It didn't sell for £175!!! Not anywhere close to that either. I bought it by making an offer the seller couldn't possibly refuse. He turned down my first offer as he'd had many other offers including from the States which shocked him a bit but he has no intention of shipping it anywhere. Anyway, long story short I doubled my original (not insubstantial offer) and he accepted. Its being collected Tuesday and fingers crossed should arrive a week today.

It's funny but the seller never even realised the horn was missing as he bought it in 1980 from a cantankerous farmer who swore it never had a horn!

I understand the enthusiasm for wooden horns but a Victor horn really wouldn't be right for this. I have a green MG horn which is, albeit it'll be on loan from another machine until I can find another one. I do have a spare MG horn but it's the earlier type with extended cone beyond the elbow and needs restoring. I'm too much of a purist to accept that! This machine has got to be right, even if it costs an arm and a leg.

[poodling around]

Yes, it's The School Model. Thanks for reminding me I have one in my shed waiting for restoration. It's only been waiting 12 years!

As Orthofan so correctly states, unlike its Victor cousin, the HMV identical version was never fitted with the wooden horn, only the MG type.

I wish you hadn't said that - I can't stop thinking about buying a shed now to clear out the gramophone room !

Anyway, it sold for £ 175. I think the buyer should be very happy and perhaps the hunt for a horn 'is on'. (Which I guess would cost a lot more than £ 175) ?

It didn't sell for £175!!! Not anywhere close to that either. I bought it by making an offer the seller couldn't possibly refuse. He turned down my first offer as he'd had many other offers including from the States which shocked him a bit but he has no intention of shipping it anywhere. Anyway, long story short I doubled my original (not insubstantial offer) and he accepted. Its being collected Tuesday and fingers crossed should arrive a week today.

It's funny but the seller never even realised the horn was missing as he bought it in 1980 from a cantankerous farmer who swore it never had a horn!

I understand the enthusiasm for wooden horns but a Victor horn really wouldn't be right for this. I have a green MG horn which is, albeit it'll be on loan from another machine until I can find another one. I do have a spare MG horn but it's the earlier type with extended cone beyond the elbow and needs restoring. I'm too much of a purist to accept that! This machine has got to be right, even if it costs and arm and leg.

Well, that is a fantastic buy I think ! It would be great if you could up-load a photograph of it with the horn. Great word 'cantankerous' by the way !

[Steve]

It is......a great word and hopefully a good buy too. I've only ever seen 4 for sale in the past 30 years and I've bought 2 of them.

I will have a School Model for sale at some point, complete with horn and ready to go. The horn has been repainted a different green as the HMV green is difficult to match in a spray paint so I figured another "period" green might work better. I don't like black horns with oak and the red sends you mad apparently. I think some folks consider me mad enough already!