The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

You can find a picture of an American machine drilled for two positions here:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/downlo ... &mode=view

It doesn't look like you can flip the metal plate on yours, but that doesn't mean it wasn't done back in the day as part of an upgrade from the dealer or possibly there were two plates depending on the reproducer ordered. Nice looking machine!

I had (and shouldn't have sold!) an oak G&T Senior Monarch with the earlier bevel-drive motor, in very fine (unmolested) condition. That also had duplicated holes for bolting the back bracket to the cabinet, and I'm certain I've seen the same thing on a "cockleshell" model.

Nice machine. I'm envious.

Thanks again for your replies. I feel reassured with the holes at the back bracket mount and the other parts of my machine, and I'm pleased to hear that you like it. When I bought it three years ago, I didn't know much about the HMV phonographs, so I was kind of lucky to get that one. The book gramophone78 mentioned is great indeed (I bought it along with the phonograph).

Nevertheless I am the one who is feeling envious of you. The range of "interesting" models that are available on the market seems to be much bigger in the US than here in Europe. I have thought about buying a second phonograph to start a small collection, but you have to be lucky to find a model like the Senior Monarch or a Victor D, V or VI here. Buying one at collectorsworldwest.com or similar sites could possibly be an option, but then postage and taxes have to be taken into account, so I'm not sure whether it's worth the extra money or not...