The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I don't really know how to describe this thing. It has two glass sides and four corner columns at each corner for a total of sixteen. The two holes in the top and connected with tubing so the tone arm must have gone inside the cabinet and exited to an outside horn. I don't normally bother with junk like this but if you'll look at the last photo, you'll see why I bought it.

In Portland, starting today, is the big Expo antique sale. It's held three times a year and the July sale is the largest because of several hundred outside vendors. I had a fabulous time and bought a very late Victor II with several Victrola features and a Victor III. Both a project machines and I'll take some photos.

Jerry Blais

Nice motor. Wish I had one like that.

"Nice motor. Wish I had one like that."

Look at the verdigris on that governor. I've never seen one that green. I wonder if it hasn't been cleaned in a hundred years?

Actually it is kind of interesting. Any clues as to who made it and when?

Clay

Externally,the fittings bear more than a passing resemblance to the HMV models 29 and 33, which were made for the Indian market. but the 29 only had a single spring motor, and the 33 a double, rather than the triple springs in this one. It could be that this one was destined for the Spanish market, where very ornate cabinets seemed to be more prevelent.

Barry

Triple spring? This looks to me like a perfectly genuine HMV double spring spiral drive motor of the pre-1920 period.

I don't usually like "gaudy" stuff, but I think this cabinet is really neat! I hope you get to the bottom of the mystery, Jerry.

Fran

I must be a real rube, I find this case interesting with all that detail.
Mike

mikejk wrote:I must be a real rube, I find this case interesting with all that detail.
Mike

Me too Mike. If nothing else, it would make an interesting conversation piece. Guests more often than not want to know about the unusual pieces.

Clay

That is definitely a two-spring motor. If I had that machine, I would restore it - regardless of its origin.