Decca Style No. 4

[Steve]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295623638368 ... media=COPY

Just received this. I'm surprised there wasn't a lot more interest to be honest. The Style No. 4 is not exactly a common machine but I was very pleased to add this one to my other two '4's as, dated 15th October 1926, its a late example and features the more exponential tapered arm and dulciflex with Telesamatic soundbox. This was part of a short lived range bridging the gap between the original Decca and the new improved model 66 etc with elongated horns combining the best Decca features with the HMV 101 style internal horns.

So a rare "4" with a short lived tonearm and dulciflex arrangement. It looks better in the flesh than the photos.

[Teak]

This machine was first sold to me buy it now for 110 Euros. After I won it the seller first told me he would ship it and everything seems on the up. Then the seller canceled the order, blabbering something about her teenage daughter missposting the item. Obviously some utter *** on her end. I was furious, but did not bid higher to not further stuff her greedy dishonest neck.

[nostalgia]

Congratulations, Steve:)
I am happy to see I am not the only one finding "missing" portables these days.

[Steve]

Congratulations, Steve:)
I am happy to see I am not the only one finding "missing" portables these days.

Thanks! Yes, I've certainly picked up a few lately. I think some older collectors are possibly slimming down their collections in order to prevent family being inundated with stuff to sell after their demise. It's certainly rich pickings of late compared to say, 6 months ago.

Keep your eyes peeled.

[epigramophone]

I was briefly tempted by that Decca, but I am one of those older collectors now gradually reducing their collections.
My son and daughter in law are interested and have their favourites, but they cannot possibly keep everything.

I could not, however, resist this Columbia 9000 as it is an HMV102 clone and therefore worth adding to my 102 collection.
All it needed was a good clean, a better winding handle (which I had) and a few minutes work to free the stuck governor.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Viva ... 7675.l2557

[Steve]

I was briefly tempted by that Decca, but I am one of those older collectors now gradually reducing their collections.
My son and daughter in law are interested and have their favourites, but they cannot possibly keep everything.

I could not, however, resist this Columbia 9000 as it is an HMV102 clone and therefore worth adding to my 102 collection.
All it needed was a good clean, a better winding handle (which I had) and a few minutes work to free the stuck governor.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Viva ... 7675.l2557

Is that a Columbia 28 badge on that "5B"? I've got a blue 9000A the same as yours, although your case is better than mine and cheaper! I wonder as my 9000A has the 5B style Columbia soundbox with the Maltese cross design fascia plate.

If you need the Columbia soundbox I have a spare I'd be happy to swap for a regular HMV 5B one.

[nostalgia]

Congratulations to you too, Roger. It is hard to pass on a colored Columbia 9000.
Also, Teak...sorry about your bad experience!

[epigramophone]

I was briefly tempted by that Decca, but I am one of those older collectors now gradually reducing their collections.
My son and daughter in law are interested and have their favourites, but they cannot possibly keep everything.

I could not, however, resist this Columbia 9000 as it is an HMV102 clone and therefore worth adding to my 102 collection.
All it needed was a good clean, a better winding handle (which I had) and a few minutes work to free the stuck governor.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Viva ... 7675.l2557

Is that a Columbia 28 badge on that "5B"? I've got a blue 9000A the same as yours, although your case is better than mine and cheaper! I wonder as my 9000A has the 5B style Columbia soundbox with the Maltese cross design fascia plate.

If you need the Columbia soundbox I have a spare I'd be happy to swap for a regular HMV 5B one.

The No.28 soundbox with the Maltese cross front mask was fitted to the Columbia 206.
The soundbox on my 9000A, which has a B/12 date code, is identical from the front to the HMV 5B, but the back is plain, no lettering at all. It is possible that either soundbox is correct, depending on the date of manufacture.

[Steve]

I was briefly tempted by that Decca, but I am one of those older collectors now gradually reducing their collections.
My son and daughter in law are interested and have their favourites, but they cannot possibly keep everything.

I could not, however, resist this Columbia 9000 as it is an HMV102 clone and therefore worth adding to my 102 collection.
All it needed was a good clean, a better winding handle (which I had) and a few minutes work to free the stuck governor.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Viva ... 7675.l2557

Is that a Columbia 28 badge on that "5B"? I've got a blue 9000A the same as yours, although your case is better than mine and cheaper! I wonder as my 9000A has the 5B style Columbia soundbox with the Maltese cross design fascia plate.

If you need the Columbia soundbox I have a spare I'd be happy to swap for a regular HMV 5B one.

The No.28 soundbox with the Maltese cross front mask was fitted to the Columbia 206.
The soundbox on my 9000A, which has a B/12 date code, is identical from the front to the HMV 5B, but the back is plain, no lettering at all. It is possible that either soundbox is correct, depending on the date of manufacture.

Yes, I also have both versions as well. My 206 has the No. 28 from memory and my 9000 (which some experts are referring to as a possible prototype) has the same but the 9000A has the 5B lookalike without any number on it. Now I would need to double check this but my soundboxes are unfortunately in storage still, but otherwise I'm fairly sure I've got a 5B clone which says "Columbia 28" on it as well.

I only mentioned the soundboxes because it's not clear from your photo if the soundbox on your machine was the Columbia variant. It sounds like it is anyway so you don't need my spare.