Are Senior Monarch Gramophones very sought after?

[SydneyAde]

Hi all

Having learnt that that particular gramophones and phonographs fall in and out of favour,
I was wondering if the Gramophone & Typewriter Co's Senior Monarch is still a sought after machine?

Ade

[Starkton]

They are still sought after, but as Senior Monarchs turn up with some regularity, good, preferably original, condition is the crucial point.

[Steve]

All G & T and HMV horn machines are still very much sought after, whether called "Monarch" or not and probably to the point where you wonder sometimes why some of the lesser celebrated makes don't attract quite as much attention. I'm thinking Pathé and Columbia to name just two. It puzzles me why a Columbia BD Majestic, for example, which cost the same when new as a much, much more commonly found Victor VI model today (and has a better more powerful motor to boot) would struggle to get a bid at £1800, or even an offer below that price when a rougher incomplete VI with some damage to cabinet raises £1200!

Phono collectors definitely favour anything with the dog on it, or anything pre-dog decal from the same stable(s).

BTW, the most sought after Senior Monarch is the MAHOGANY version. As Starkton has noted the oak variant is much more commonly available and condition of one of these is critical. On UK Ebay recently there was a quite rough looking Senior Monarch machine in terms of its cabinet but the horn was in stunning condition. It came with an original fitted carrying case and yet failed to reach the seller's optimistic valuation of £1800. Why? Because although the canvas case was included, it was fairly obvious from the state of the cabinet finish that it's never seen the inside of its protective case. The horn was nearly mint but where was the horn basket? M.I.A. The whole thing didn't ring true. It was basically a less than average conditon machine with a beautiful horn and canvas case. Most collectors might have bought the horn and canvas case but left the machine in aid of finding a better example which shouldn't be difficult. If the seller had offered it as three separate lots, they might have sold two of them and been left with a below par base that would be difficult to sell. They knew this and hence why it was one lot. The trouble was the price. No one wanted to pay that much for the better parts of the lot.

As for the three constituent parts belonging together because they were all originally sold that way and spent their time together, I, for one, wasn't buying into that.

[SydneyAde]

They are still sought after, but as Senior Monarchs turn up with some regularity, good, preferably original, condition is the crucial point.

Thanks Starkton, I've seen one locally that needs some work, and will be interested to see the eventual auction price.
It is satisfying to know they turn up regularly.

Ade

[Steve]

Please see my post above. If it needs work and it's an oak Senior Monarch, you might want to pass on it unless it's very cheap.

[SydneyAde]

[quote="Steve"]All G & T and HMV horn machines are still very much sought after, whether called "Monarch" or not and probably to the point where you wonder sometimes why some of the lesser celebrated makes don't attract quite as much attention.

Phono collectors definitely favour anything with the dog on it, or anything pre-dog decal from the same stable(s).

BTW, the most sought after Senior Monarch is the MAHOGANY version. As Starkton has noted the oak variant is much more commonly available and condition of one of these is critical.

Hi again Steve

The machine is an oak version, in reasonable original condition, although missing a couple of trims and the crank. The
auction closes at 2am, although the seller gives a local address. Will be interesting.

Ade

[estott]

All G & T and HMV horn machines are still very much sought after, whether called "Monarch" or not and probably to the point where you wonder sometimes why some of the lesser celebrated makes don't attract quite as much attention. I'm thinking Pathé and Columbia to name just two. It puzzles me why a Columbia BD Majestic, for example, which cost the same when new as a much, much more commonly found Victor VI model today (and has a better more powerful motor to boot) would struggle to get a bid at £1800, or even an offer below that price when a rougher incomplete VI with some damage to cabinet raises £1200!

One issue is the tone arm design of the Columbia- even when they are in top condition a Columbia machine is less kind to records than a Victor- even the cheapest tone arm Victor is superior in that respect.

[budsta]

Hi Sydneyade

The case of the machine in questions looks fairly dry. As ,mentioned some moulding is missing. The horns looks like it could be brass which is pretty scarce. Its hard to tell as the pictures are pretty average. You don't see this style of machine very often but it is not a rare machine per se.
None the less one of the more impressive looking HMV horn machines.

budsta

[Steve]

Can we please see it? Is it on Ebay? Links?

[Starkton]

BTW, the most sought after Senior Monarch is the MAHOGANY version.

You refer to the gramophone model which is generally called "Ionic" among collectors: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 0783&hilit

Only readers of the book "His Master's Gramophone" know the historically correct, but rarely used, designation Monarch Senior for this model. While the "Ionic" is certainly less common, selling prices and demand don't overly reflect this. Because the earlier (of G&T times) and completely different looking Monarch Senior in oak is still an icon among European horn gramophones.