What is your ”Holy Grail” machine? Have you found it?

[Phono-Phan]

I never thought I would have an Idelia in the collection. The original post of it was viewtopic.php?p=140451#p140451
I still haven't found another example of the late Model E Idelia. Many veteran collectors have told me it is the only one they have ever seen. The record cabinet it is on rotates with the small crank on the side.

[daverob]

Does the duluxe monarch still exist? The one with the carved lions on the corners? I'd love to see one.

Also a Gothic 500. I have an incomplete queen Anne 500, but I like the Gothic more.

[Pathe Logical]

daverob,

I just sent you a PM.

[Steve]

As others have already stated it does seem to be a moving target! Here were some of mine, listed at random, which have now been found:

Complete Swiss Mikiphone with needle tin, original (loose) paper instructions, card carton packing and leather carrying case with unbroken shoulder strap
HMV 201 mahogany cabinet (No. 4 soundbox / saxophone horn)
HMV 202 Largest and best re-entrant horn model
Fixed Tone Arm gramophone in teak case with leather carrying case and original folding wooden plug-in horn / separate recording horn
Fixed Tone Arm gramophone in rosewood cabinet with folding wooden extended horn
Expert Senior pedestal model
EMG 10B Oversize Export model
Pathéphone Modele A with spun aluminium horn (first version)
Pathéphone Modele E 1906 with detachable lid
Pathéphone Concert Modele A with pavillon torsade (aluminium "twisted" horn)
Pathéphone portable in inlaid wooden hardwood case
HMV Pigmy Grand (oak version with double spring motor)
HMV No. 12 Library Bijou Grand (walnut)
HMV School Model (first type) complete / unrestored
Spanish HMV Model 9 external horn model
Spanish HMV Model 13C external horn model
HMV Sheraton (B) mahogany external horn model
Columbia BD "Majestic" external horn model
HMV 100, 101 (front and side winding varaiants), 112, 113, 114 and 118 models in teak from India
HMV 101 / 102 in red leather / gold plated
Phrynis asymmetric external horn model
Symphonium external horn model
Trombophone external horn model

I'm now busy looking for that "something else"..........

[phonospud]

I never thought I would have an Idelia in the collection. The original post of it was viewtopic.php?p=140451#p140451
I still haven't found another example of the late Model E Idelia. Many veteran collectors have told me it is the only one they have ever seen. The record cabinet it is on rotates with the small crank on the side.

That’s spectacular! I’ve heard that a considerable amount of painted bed plate Idelia’s were converted by owners to the oxidized finish. Such a shame.

[phonospud]

Does the duluxe monarch still exist? The one with the carved lions on the corners? I'd love to see one.

Also a Gothic 500. I have an incomplete queen Anne 500, but I like the Gothic more.

Yes, two exist, one front mount, and a rear mount that the current owner converted to a front mount.
A Columbia front mount equivalent exists too. I’ve seen that one in the flesh years ago. It had a massive aluminum horn with a floor stand.

[daverob]

Only 2?

They must be worth a fortune.

Someone should make a replica. I know some people are more into the mechanisms, but those carved cabinets were remarkable.

[TinfoilPhono]

A Columbia front mount equivalent exists too. I’ve seen that one in the flesh years ago. It had a massive aluminum horn with a floor stand.

This one appeared at Union in 2004, with a massive brass horn.

[Curt A]

The two Columbia machines - front mount (shown above) and back mount are about 4 miles down the road from me.

[daverob]

I really appreciate you posting those pics. When you say 4 miles away, do you mean in opposite directions or at the same location? The Columbia is very nice, but I think I like the lions on the Victor more than the whimsical human faces on the Columbia. They remind me of 'Goodnight moon.'