WTB - Gramophone & Typewriter "Empire" I, 2 or 3 model

[Steve]

Please PM me if you have or know the whereabouts of one, with or without its horn, condition unimportant.
Thank you.
Steve

[Starkton]

The Empire 3, which was offered under various names (e.g. De Luxe III) in many branches of the Gramophone Co. is bound to turn up somewhere. Here is a post from the German forum: https://grammophon-platten.de/e107_plug ... .php?38731

However, it would be nothing less than a sensation if a previously unknown Empire 1 or Empire 2 were to turn up. Such machines would be the crown jewels of even the most advanced collection.

After a long search, I discovered an Empire 1 in the January 1908 catalogue of The Gramophone Co. Italy Ltd. where it was offered under the name ‘Impero’ di Lusso as a top model together with a matching pedestal. See here: https://grammophon-platten.de/e107_plug ... .php?51427

[Steve]

Thank you for the links - very interesting. So the Empire III / Deluxe III is probably the most likely to turn up?

I can hardly believe one sold on German Ebay complete with wooden horn for 650 Euros! Maybe they are so rarely seen that they frighten off some collectors who think they are reproductions?

[Sidewinder]

Unfortunately there are copies of the empire 3 from India, and in better quality from Eastern Europe.

[Steve]

Unfortunately there are copies of the empire 3 from India, and in better quality from Eastern Europe.

That's interesting. Are they obviously reproductions? Have you got a link to show a reproduction please?

[Sidewinder]

Here from India - sometimes also offered on ebay, but with a real photo!

[Steve]

Here from India - sometimes also offered on ebay, but with a real photo!

Thanks! That's interesting, they are definitely improving: the brake and speed controls are genuinely early (non-HMV) parts and probably not from a portable. However, I have never seen one of these for sale on Ebay before. I find it interesting that they are now copying the "wood grained" pattern of horn.

[Starkton]

Another De Luxe III, serial number 401, turned up in Germany a few days ago, but it was already reserved when I saw it. Offered with a basis for negotiation of 1700 EUR for pickup in Saxony, it was not really a bargain. What was remarkable, however, was that the round celluloid badge with the Writing Angel trademark was still present. It is usually missing.