The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

jamiegramo wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:11 pm

Steve wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:06 pm Can someone just not ask the seller to send half decent photos of a few items in the lot? It'll be a lot easier (and potentially a lot less risky for the buyer) than simply speculating on what they might be here.

I agree! I think the bidding is likely to go high based on just these soundboxes so lets see a photo of the back of them.

Do you expect it to go high for these alone? In my experience a lot of collectors are a little shy of jumping into the unknown with rare items. I've met some collectors who have the view that if it isn't pictured in one of their "authoritative" handy bibles, it doesn't exist!

I’ve written to the seller and asked for more photos which I will post up here if he responds. If anyone beats me to it I won’t need to.

Steve wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:19 pm

jamiegramo wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:11 pm

Steve wrote: Mon Jan 30, 2023 3:06 pm Can someone just not ask the seller to send half decent photos of a few items in the lot? It'll be a lot easier (and potentially a lot less risky for the buyer) than simply speculating on what they might be here.

I agree! I think the bidding is likely to go high based on just these soundboxes so lets see a photo of the back of them.

Do you expect it to go high for these alone? In my experience a lot of collectors are a little shy of jumping into the unknown with rare items. I've met some collectors who have the view that if it isn't pictured in one of their "authoritative" handy bibles, it doesn't exist!

I think some people love a gamble or take things at face value but what you say is mostly true.

In all fairness to the listing I was forgetting that there are a number of interesting early pick-ups and I know microphones are another matter... so the lot could go high without someone having a particularly interest in the soundboxes.

Here they are a rare HMV No.18 Soundbox.....

The other is blank but the cast lettering looks authentic to me.

Well, this thread has gone quiet lol !

So, basically, the HMV soundboxes are genuine, of great historical significance and may be the only two ever made or that now exist ????

Does that about sum it up ?

.......... or could they be something else ?????

I’m not sure if people are overwhelmed or underwhelmed... I can only say that I was a little surprised (gobsmacked infact) when I received the first picture...

jamiegramo wrote: Tue Jan 31, 2023 1:41 pm I’m not sure if people are overwhelmed or underwhelmed... I can only say that I was a little surprised (gobsmacked infact) when I received the first picture...

Well, I had to google the meaning of 'gobsmacked' and saw that it means: Flabbergasted, speechless, overawed and utterly astounded.

I must admit I am much the same.

Yes forgive the crude (and very British) slang. It seemed appropriate and your definition sums it up very well.

Answers sometimes pose more questions and I wonder what machine would have suited the look and indeed the colouring of these soundboxes. Is there a prototype machine now lost in time?

Perhaps a bronze finish tonearm like some of the cabinet models... not forgetting what they sound like?