The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is clearly an 88z, albeit an export version (though most 88s were for export anyway!), and might even have a different model number. I have seen one of these with an RCA Victor label before, and assume that it was sold in a Victor territory (not necessarily North America) where there was still a demand, when Victor no longer made acoustic machines but still had an affiliation with EMI.

Yes, the gold finish is down to the post-WW2 shortage of chrome, and the fact that the needle bowl appears to be nickel or chrome lends weight to the suggestion that it is not original. The varnished wood motorboard is unusual on this model, but the (matching) brown lid interior is not unknown. Compare the Columbia 211z on page 216 of HMG.

The higher position of the transfer is logical- its very low position on most 88s is a hangover from the 87, where it had to be low because of the leaf spring in the lid which held records stacked on the turntable.

My 88Z also has a polished timber motor board.
I've always thought the painted finish was simply to make production costs lower. Both my 88Z and 97D were made in 1946 but the 97 has the usual chrome plating.

What an interesting and rare/unique HMV portable:) I love when these shows up, and have been lucky to be in this position myself lately too.
Congratulations with your great find
And Oedipus' input was (again) exactly what was needed here, a treasure trove of information indeed. Myself I am extremely grateful for this information being passed on to us in threads like this. The legacy lives on:)

Thanks everyone! Some great information and highly appreciated!! I should have this one in either this Fri or Sat. I will post more pics and a YT video link shortly thereafter! An 88z. Interesting!! This will be my first HMV portable and cant wait to check it out!! Thanks again!! Here is another interesting portable I have in my collection. A German Triumphon. Small in size but puts out an amazing sound with its oversized reproducer!

That 10" record is bigger than the whole machine!

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:That 10" record is bigger than the whole machine!

Yes it is lol. Here she is in action: https://youtu.be/EafXAH2kC4A

I got her in!! VERY happy! Extremely clean. The casing seam on the back had to be glued but thats. Also had to do a little adjusting to the speed control. Sounds great though!! I dont even have to do a sound box rebuild!! It did not have an ID tag under the TT but Made in England is stamped on the underside. Thanks everyone for the comments and assistance!! I will be enjoying her tomorrow as I am giving the wood glue overnight to solidify!!

Looking good and (hopefully) sounding better! Nice example of late-era phonograph in a small package.

Congratulations. It seems to be in great condition. It is a shame no ID tag was present.

Below is a photo of the top right hand front corner of my machine, and the screw head you can see is where the "rubber disc on a stick) needle cup cover is attached, and there is no sign of a hole being patched on your machine. I think you'll see no patching on the inside of the lid either, in which case the only logical conclusion is that your needle cup is not merely a later replacement and could very well be original to the machine.

I still suspect your needle cup was added by RCA.
I recently saw an 88Z online, I think in Malta, which has a completely different (fancier) speed indication plate, but it matched the rest of the painted finish used on these machines, so I can only presume it left the UK factory that way and was not a later addition.

In the case of your needle cup, there appears to be no signs the usual cup and cover were ever fitted to your machine, but as the finish is not the same as the rest, I assume it didn't leave the factory with that needle cup or else I'd expect it would be finished the same as the rest.

Perhaps if you can look at some RCA acoustic machines, you may find the same needle cup used on some of those machines?

I'm curious, can you see any signs of the original Hayes Middlesex address, or its removal, underneath the RCA Victrola decal?

gramophoneshane wrote:Congratulations. It seems to be in great condition. It is a shame no ID tag was present.

Below is a photo of the top right hand front corner of my machine, and the screw head you can see is where the "rubber disc on a stick) needle cup cover is attached, and there is no sign of a hole being patched on your machine. I think you'll see no patching on the inside of the lid either, in which case the only logical conclusion is that your needle cup is not a later replacement and could very well be original to the machine.

I still suspect your needle cup was added by RCA.
I recently saw an 88Z online, I think in Malta, which has a completely different (fancier) speed indication plate, but it matched the rest of the painted finish used on these machines, so I can only presume it left the UK factory that way and was not a later addition.

In the case of your needle cup, there appears to be no signs the usual cup and cover were ever fitted to your machine, but as the finish is not the same as the rest, I assume it didn't leave the factory with that needle cup or else I'd expect it would be finished the same as the rest.

Perhaps if you can look at some RCA acoustic machines, you may find the same needle cup used on those machines?

I'm curious, can you see any signs of the original Hayes Middlesex address, or its removal, underneath the RCA Victrola decal?

HEre is a wrench thrown into the fan....it states "Industria Argentina". ???