Hail the cheap machines that no one else wants!

[Steve]

I collected this HMV Style No. 3 Hornless yesterday after winning at auction.....well, I was the only bidder so technically it's not really a win! It's all working but sadly missing its winding handle. The cabinet is in fantastic condition, as is the plating on the rear cowl which is often corroded. Even though I was forced to up my bid to meet the auctioneers opening expectations it was just £30 plus commission.

I thought a thread celebrating the less sought after machines could be fun. If any more turn up at this price level I will gladly buy them all!

Show us your unsung machines and favourite finds.....

[Nat]

Here's my entry. This little guy has been great for education because the kids can see everything. I encourage them to touch the needle bar very gently so they can feel the sound vibrating. They love it, and love cranking it, too.

[Steve]

A fixed down motorboard. Is that a Victor?

Apart from the budget model A, re-badged Zonophones and later entries into the hornless range, most early HMV's have hinged motorboards.

Thanks for sharing your machine and I applaud your approach with young kids. It's great that they're interested in this obsolete technology!

[epigramophone]

As the only bidder on eBay for this rare but unrecognised Columbia 113, I "won" it for all of £25.

[Steve]

As the only bidder on eBay for this rare but unrecognised Columbia 113, I "won" it for all of £25.

Indeed, a very fine machine at a stupendously low price. I also have a 113 which sold at auction for under £100 but still significantly more than your example, Roger.

I'm always amazed how little interest Columbia machines draw from collectors when you consider their exceptional build quality, often rivalling and sometimes surpassing HMV.

The strangest change of fortunes recently was that practically mint red 9000A that sold for £50 hammer price to a dealer who promptly resold it on Ebay making almost £300 profit!

[Curt A]

Steve, that machine is gorgeous... who wouldn't want it?

[Steve]

Steve, that machine is gorgeous... who wouldn't want it?

Well, I was the only bidder so I'd say probably most people in answer to your question!

Thanks for the enthusiastic comment though. I agree, it is a stunning little machine and sits happily alongside my Style 1's and recently acquired Style 6 which means all three of the earliest HMV Hornless machines following the Pigmy Grand of 1909.

I have two "1"'s, the first in a canvas carrying case and the other in a purpose made teak outer case supplied by the Indian dealership with decal matching on both the oak machine and teak (mainly used in Indian sub-continent) carrying case. With a winding hole and opening flap in the outer "trunk" it enables the owner to play the machine without having to remove it from the case.

[Nat]

A fixed down motorboard. Is that a Victor?

Steve - Thanks for the kind words! It is a Victor, a VV IV (which we fondly call the "VV Ivy"). It is a screw-down, as found. Its past is a bit murky - re-build Exhibition soundbox, and the crank that was with it, despite several different cranks illustrated on the Victor-Victrola page. It was in good shape when I found it in a one of those junk shops that likes to call itself an "antique" shop. I supplied the soundbox, repaired the broken spring, and cleaned up the wood. Not fancy, but kind of a treasure!

Christmas Eve at my cabin:

[GavinM]

That's a lovely little machine, Steve, well done! I don't own a hornless machine but I don't dislike them and I can't really understand why they're not popular anymore.

[DanP58]

I was recently the only bidder on this Pathé No.25 for $60 . It’s in nice shape with wooden base and lid . All three have the sn# stamped on them .
Dan