The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This thing is gorgeous...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Vesper-W ... 1251320661

It probably doesn't sound as nice as it looks, but it's interesting in that the sound seems to come out from the back - is it for public performances? Or maybe the servant operates it while the master listens?

Cheers,
David.

It is quite gorgeous, though someone cut the legs off.

The sound was supposed to bounce off the wall behind the machine and be reflected around the room.

With cut off legs it's perfect stock for the dealer we all know with the cut down Bassanophone. Do not be fooled when a machine miraculously reappears sprouting new legs! They are not 'original' legs found discarded in a waste bin. They are repro or sometimes legs removed from non gramophone related furnishings. They never look right.

With about 12 hours to go the high bid is £255, so someone somewhere considers it worth the effort of getting it back on it's feet.

It should be possible to fit it with some simple Hepplewhite legs and a skirt - fortunately there is a molding at the bottom to hide the join. It wouldn't be perfect but could look plausible.