COMPANIA DEL GRAMOFONO SA (BARCELONA) - Spanish HMV No. 9

[Steve]

I thought I'd share a few photos of my Spanish HMV gramophone or COMPANIA DEL GRAMOFONO SA (BARCELONA)"No. 9" as it should be called if we are to be more precise about it. I believe this dates from the 1912-14 period but I sadly have no documentation for it to confirm. I have just finished cleaning the cabinet and metalwork and I've recently repainted the horn which was sadly missing about 70% of its original paint. The motor is double-spring and the speed controls and brake are typical Victor imported parts. However, the back-bracket is UNIQUE to this machine. A closer look at the pictures below should reveal (apart from its odd curvature and unusual proportions) that it has a serial number and it is in fact made from brass! Apart from the pressed "cartouche" the horn is almost identical in pattern to some early Pathé type. I suspect the horn is French and the cabinet is of German manufacture. The French division of HMV was responsible for supplying these unique models to the very small Spanish market.

The tone-arm also has a uniquely engraved "His Master's Voice" with 'Nipper' where the goose-neck joins.

I'm always on the look-out for information regarding continental HMV so if anyone has anything of interest or simply wants to ask me questions (I don't know much but I'll try my best to answer!) please contact me or reply here.

Thanks as always for looking and sharing information.

I'm not sure that the pictures need to be any larger (?) but you can enlarge them slightly by clicking on each one in turn.

[alang]

Steve, congratulations to yet another very unique machine. The case looks so unusual and the finish so good that most people would have probably passed on it as a crapophone, but the close-up shows differently. Great job on painiting the horn. Very unusual to have that decal in the horn opening. If you have time, maybe you could present it as a Featured Phonograph with more pictures?

Thanks for sharing
Andreas

[CarlosV]

Great job, Steve! The horn in particular looks very nice. What kind of motor does it have? is it the older-style with the round plate?

[Steve]

Thanks Andreas and Carlos.

No, the motor isn't the circular plate type. It has a 3 point mounting (triangular)and it's pictured below:

[kumbo1899]

What a nice machine. Will dig out my HMV Spanish catalog with photos and send you your data. Congrats and thanks for sharing. Will be sent on the weekend. Regards, Larry

[Steve]

What a nice machine. Will dig out my HMV Spanish catalog with photos and send you your data. Congrats and thanks for sharing. Will be sent on the weekend. Regards, Larry

That's marvellous news, thank you Larry. I look forward to seeing that.

[FloridaClay]

An interesting, and handsome, machine.

Clay

[Steve]

The cabinet shares some similarities with the G & T Melba pedestal. Was it made in the same factory?

[gramophone78]

Great machine Steve. I was checking to see if there was one in the big Spanish collection I know of. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be one.
I thought the same regarding the stand.

A friend in Europe has a Melba "type" stand in an original natural brown finish. Wouldn't that look great with your machine on top.... .

I love my stand also... .

[Starkton]

The cabinet shares some similarities with the G & T Melba pedestal. Was it made in the same factory?

It is difficult to tell because of the awful modern paint. Although I am looking for a pedestal for my Monarch de Luxe No. 15b I couldn't get myself to place a bid.

The case of the HMV No. 9 is one of the nicest I can imagine. A feast for the eyes and worth every penny you invested, but you know that I have a different opinion about overpainting the horn.
Why did you get the elbow painted green?