RetroTech UK (NVCF) Some photos

[Steve]

BTW, did anyone see the stall on the front row that had 2 gramophones for sale, an inside horn one for £10 and what appeared to be the base of a small outside horn one for £45?

I meant to go back and ask why the outside horn base was so cheap, but by the time I remembered, both had gone

Yes, I did. I think that's the guy who had several machines for £25 each or five for £100! I thought "is this what it's all come to?" until I viewed each machine and realised that each was a junky condition Frankenphone or incomplete. Unless you were desperate for a part they had, you didn't miss much, trust me!

[Inigo]

Thanks for all photos... I've enjoyed them a lot... Wish we had such fairs here in Madrid. We have a sort of International Record Fair only, but they usually don't have 78s except a couple dealers from Barcelona. In Barcelona they have more fairs...

[chunnybh]

Some great photos . Good to see there is still some life left in the UK. In fact it all looks wonderful, very encouraging.

[Phono48]

Well I have read on some threads on here that the rare dark blue one didn't sell very well because it looked black.

I have a dark blue crocodile HMV 101 and that does look black.

So, maybe yours is not 'the' rare dark blue normal one ?

The one Steve bought is a standard blue version. The dark blue one is nearly black in appearance, and immediately identifiable. The crocodile versions were available in only three colours, brown, grey, and blue, but not dark blue, so the one you have has probably darkened over the years?
Barry

[Steve]

Well I have read on some threads on here that the rare dark blue one didn't sell very well because it looked black.

I have a dark blue crocodile HMV 101 and that does look black.

So, maybe yours is not 'the' rare dark blue normal one ?

The one Steve bought is a standard blue version. The dark blue one is nearly black in appearance, and immediately identifiable. The crocodile versions were available in only three colours, brown, grey, and blue, but not dark blue, so the one you have has probably darkened over the years?
Barry

I was fairly certain the blue 101 is the standard colour but with that said I have seen a more "sky blue" lighter version over the years so presumably there must be THREE different shades of blue?

[Steve]

Some great photos . Good to see there is still some life left in the UK. In fact it all looks wonderful, very encouraging.

Thanks, Chunny. Yes, there's some life left in the old dog yet but not an awful lot. Both sellers who were specialising in gramophone / phonograph items were simply collectors unloading unwanted items. One of those might not participate next year, if indeed there is another event to attend. I think it hangs in the balance currently.

[poodling around]

Well I have read on some threads on here that the rare dark blue one didn't sell very well because it looked black.

I have a dark blue crocodile HMV 101 and that does look black.

So, maybe yours is not 'the' rare dark blue normal one ?

The one Steve bought is a standard blue version. The dark blue one is nearly black in appearance, and immediately identifiable. The crocodile versions were available in only three colours, brown, grey, and blue, but not dark blue, so the one you have has probably darkened over the years?
Barry

Maybe. Mine certainly looks quite black / dark blue overall to me though. Okay, it looks like I have been using it as an ashtray and just pulled it out from under a hedge but I removed some of the 'bits' (brake etc) and it was the same colour under there as well, so consistent in protected areas.

Is this the colour the other blue crocodiles are I wonder ? If so, perhaps they should be called 'dark blue' but the never made blue

[Steve]

Well I have read on some threads on here that the rare dark blue one didn't sell very well because it looked black.

I have a dark blue crocodile HMV 101 and that does look black.

So, maybe yours is not 'the' rare dark blue normal one ?

The one Steve bought is a standard blue version. The dark blue one is nearly black in appearance, and immediately identifiable. The crocodile versions were available in only three colours, brown, grey, and blue, but not dark blue, so the one you have has probably darkened over the years?
Barry

Maybe. Mine certainly looks quite black / dark blue overall to me though. Okay, it looks like I have been using it as an ashtray and just pulled it out from under a hedge but I removed some of the 'bits' (brake etc) and it was the same colour under there as well, so consistent in protected areas.

Is this the colour the other blue crocodiles are I wonder ? If so, perhaps they should be called 'dark blue' but the never made blue

Yes, it is. You'll notice that the inside is considerably darker with a different grain to the outside anyway. The blue croc was unique among the three for that.

[poodling around]

The one Steve bought is a standard blue version. The dark blue one is nearly black in appearance, and immediately identifiable. The crocodile versions were available in only three colours, brown, grey, and blue, but not dark blue, so the one you have has probably darkened over the years?
Barry

Maybe. Mine certainly looks quite black / dark blue overall to me though. Okay, it looks like I have been using it as an ashtray and just pulled it out from under a hedge but I removed some of the 'bits' (brake etc) and it was the same colour under there as well, so consistent in protected areas.

Is this the colour the other blue crocodiles are I wonder ? If so, perhaps they should be called 'dark blue' but the never made blue

Yes, it is. You'll notice that the inside is considerably darker with a different grain to the outside anyway. The blue croc was unique among the three for that.

Very interesting. So all HMV 101 blue croc's have this 'shade of blue' then ?

I would have thought that the rare dark blue normal HMV 101 can't have been any darker than mine ?

[Steve]

Maybe. Mine certainly looks quite black / dark blue overall to me though. Okay, it looks like I have been using it as an ashtray and just pulled it out from under a hedge but I removed some of the 'bits' (brake etc) and it was the same colour under there as well, so consistent in protected areas.

Is this the colour the other blue crocodiles are I wonder ? If so, perhaps they should be called 'dark blue' but the never made blue

Yes, it is. You'll notice that the inside is considerably darker with a different grain to the outside anyway. The blue croc was unique among the three for that.

Very interesting. So all HMV 101 blue croc's have this 'shade of blue' then ?

I would have thought that the rare dark blue normal HMV 101 can't have been any darker than mine ?

It is. The dark blue has nothing to do with the Croc version. The Croc version has an almost black interior lid / tray with different grain. Or at least some of them do. Yours might appear to be the same! ..........oh, I don't know!

Let's just agree there are blue 101s in existence!