Expert ‘Mahogany Gramophone’

[jamiegramo]

A very sad story with the missing soundbox that was obviously never recovered. I also noticed the previous lot is a trademark gramophone with an estimate of £40-£60, less than the estimate of a crapophone. Clearly the auctioneer has no idea and should have consulted our friend the expert.

The misspelling suggests the amount of time given to each lot.

[Steve]

The trademark could have reproduction parts. It's impossible without seeing it in the flesh to know for certain.

You cannot see the soundbox, travelling arm or clamp clearly enough in the photos. I have a repro Trademark that looks remarkably accurate and I know they were making "genuine" copies in the 1970's, so who knows with Trademark machines what you're actually buying?

[Steve]

Agreed. The estimate is stupefyingly unrealistic.

[jamiegramo]

The trademark could have reproduction parts. It's impossible without seeing it in the flesh to know for certain.

You cannot see the soundbox, travelling arm or clamp clearly enough in the photos. I have a repro Trademark that looks remarkably accurate and I know they were making "genuine" copies in the 1970's, so who knows with Trademark machines what you're actually buying?

I think it may have repro parts particularly the travelling arm and clamp from the little we can see from the photos but all the same a reproduction Clark Johnson costs more than this estimate. The case looks correct.

[Steve]

The trademark could have reproduction parts. It's impossible without seeing it in the flesh to know for certain.

You cannot see the soundbox, travelling arm or clamp clearly enough in the photos. I have a repro Trademark that looks remarkably accurate and I know they were making "genuine" copies in the 1970's, so who knows with Trademark machines what you're actually buying?

I think it may have repro parts particularly the travelling arm and clamp from the little we can see from the photos but all the same a reproduction Clark Johnson costs more than this estimate. The case looks correct.

What about the horn? It looks in very good condition but the colour of it looks a little "off" to me to be an original brass horn with aged and discoloured varnish?

[jamiegramo]

The trademark could have reproduction parts. It's impossible without seeing it in the flesh to know for certain.

You cannot see the soundbox, travelling arm or clamp clearly enough in the photos. I have a repro Trademark that looks remarkably accurate and I know they were making "genuine" copies in the 1970's, so who knows with Trademark machines what you're actually buying?

I think it may have repro parts particularly the travelling arm and clamp from the little we can see from the photos but all the same a reproduction Clark Johnson costs more than this estimate. The case looks correct.

What about the horn? It looks in very good condition but the colour of it looks a little "off" to me to be an original brass horn with aged and discoloured varnish?

Impossible to say for sure without examining the horn. Particularly I would like to see the small end hidden by the elbow and the join along the body. The join between the flare and the body looks correct as one of the two known joints found on original horns for these machines. I have not seen a repro with this type of joint but I would be looking for tell-tale signs of a cut down phonograph horn. The horn may have been polished and re-lacquered but apart from that I think it looks good.

[Steve]

I think it may have repro parts particularly the travelling arm and clamp from the little we can see from the photos but all the same a reproduction Clark Johnson costs more than this estimate. The case looks correct.

What about the horn? It looks in very good condition but the colour of it looks a little "off" to me to be an original brass horn with aged and discoloured varnish?

Impossible to say for sure without examining the horn. Particularly I would like to see the small end hidden by the elbow and the join along the body. The join between the flare and the body looks correct as one of the two known joints found on original horns for these machines. I have not seen a repro with this type of joint but I would be looking for tell-tale signs of a cut down phonograph horn. The horn may have been polished and re-lacquered but apart from that I think it looks good.

I can agree with all of this so who will attempt to ask the auctioneers for extra photos? I also wonder if the electric motor is working in the Expert. It'll be a fabulous machine if it is.

[jamiegramo]

It would be good to see a close up of the Clark Johnson soundbox before it disappears.

[Steve]

It would be good to see a close up of the Clark Johnson soundbox before it disappears.

Oh no, don't say that!

[jamiegramo]

I’ve written and asked for extra photos and will keep you updated assuming I get a reply.

As regards the Expert Gramophone they may not be prepared to plug it in to test the motor. I haven’t asked.