The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Many years ago I was given a portable with no identification whatsoever by an uncle who got it in the thirties by saving up the coupons given in packets of cigarettes. I remember it as a very flimsy, poorly made machine very similar to the Crescendo model made by Decca. Maybe this one had a similar beginning?

Barry

jamiegramo wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:01 pm

Steve wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:46 pm

jamiegramo wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:42 pm
Rarely or at least I haven’t seen one. They really were just suppliers of motors and parts in this period. Many machines that are described as Garrard are anonymous but have a Garrard motor.

I agree with you but how many completely anonymous portables (or "off-brand" other types of machine) have you seen? Most have some name on them even if it's just a shop name / retailer.

It’s strange but true. I can’t recall another anonymous portable although I can think of a few cabinets, table models and Swissie horn machines types. It seems that Curry’s rarely marked their machines.

Quite a coincidence you should mention this as I am presently working (slowly)on what seems to be an anonymous portable gramophone.

Definitely German, the motor and turntable made by a company called 'Burger'. Otherwise, no identifying name / marks at all .............

poodling around wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 2:21 pm

jamiegramo wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:01 pm

Steve wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:46 pm

I agree with you but how many completely anonymous portables (or "off-brand" other types of machine) have you seen? Most have some name on them even if it's just a shop name / retailer.

It’s strange but true. I can’t recall another anonymous portable although I can think of a few cabinets, table models and Swissie horn machines types. It seems that Curry’s rarely marked their machines.

Quite a coincidence you should mention this as I am presently working (slowly)on what seems to be an anonymous portable gramophone.

Definitely German, the motor and turntable made by a company called 'Burger'. Otherwise, no identifying name / marks at all .............

Well done for finding a blank portable.......on your workbench of all places!

Steve wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:02 pm Thanks, Shane!

What's your take on it, I wonder?

My wild guess would be it's a Goldring portable, only because when I was in highschool a friends mother sold me her Goldring black and chromed portable, which had the same tonearm and HMV style needle container, and a Garrard motor.
I've also got a Goldring soundbox finished in this same bronze colour, which seems to be a pretty unusual choice for gramophone components from what I've seen.

gramophoneshane wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 4:41 am

Steve wrote: Tue Mar 09, 2021 1:02 pm Thanks, Shane!

What's your take on it, I wonder?

My wild guess would be it's a Goldring portable, only because when I was in highschool a friends mother sold me her Goldring black and chromed portable, which had the same tonearm and HMV style needle container, and a Garrard motor.
I've also got a Goldring soundbox finished in this same bronze colour, which seems to be a pretty unusual choice for gramophone components from what I've seen.

Thanks, Shane.

Of course HMV also offered non-portable machines with a bronzed finish in the early 30s. I have a bronze 5A soundbox in my collection and I recall the 153 and big automatic models have this finish.

I think the needle container is a generic part also used by Decca. In fact the lid locks and carrying handle are identical to my Decca 90. We know Decca used Garrard motors too. The plot thickens.....

So it could be an unnamed luxury portable made from good hardware and a good case... Could it be made by a store chain as Harrods or something? Maybe it has lost its badge, if it was something attached and not engraved or painted. It looks too good, and solid, and elegant, too be a cheap affair....

Inigo wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 5:14 am So it could be an unnamed luxury portable made from good hardware and a good case... Could it be made by a store chain as Harrods or something? Maybe it has lost its badge, if it was something attached and not engraved or painted. It looks too good, and solid, and elegant, too be a cheap affair....

I agree. This wasn't something you saved up a few cigarette coupons to get but I bet it was made for a retailer, not Harrods or Alfred Hayes necessarily but some retail outlet with a musical connection possibly?

The winding handle which packs away by turning sideways rather than into an aperture is a feature of some post war Decca portables including the low priced "50", but this mystery machine with it's Garrard motor mounted on a plate is clearly of better quality.

epigramophone wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:18 am The winding handle which packs away by turning sideways rather than into an aperture is a feature of some post war Decca portables including the low priced "50", but this mystery machine with it's Garrard motor mounted on a plate is clearly of better quality.

The winder is removable and is stowed away behind the tonearm. If you look closely at the 4th tonearm picture you can see two spring clips for it. Clearly it drops over into the horn aperture kind of similar to........Decca among others!

I think there might be a Decca connection here.