The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Interesting, whatever it is. Thoughts, anyone?

I believe it's a European HMV Junior Monarch Gramophone.

Not mine, but the hammer price was $300. Seems like a bargain.

That was a bargain... I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

Too well carved and finished to be from India. It does seem to have some odd ball parts. Is that a victor horn mount.?? Horn looks original. Tom B

It is an original HMV, at least the external parts, and the price was low (assuming that motor is original as well).

This is a 'Victor Monarch' (the name as often marketed in Europe) from the German part of the family, Deutsche Grammophon. It has all the hardware of a regular Victor 1 but a more ornate case and normally they have slightly larger horns. The Germans often loved spicing up their cases. On the left side of the top board you will see the round ivorene plaque of the recording Angel. Sometimes collectors in Europe call the Victor (1) Monarchs 'Baby Monarch' to differentiate them from the Junior Monarch which is larger. G&T in Britain imported Victor 1's and kept the cases as they were, it seems only in Germany did this decorative version appear.

$300 was very cheap, I paid more than double for mine.

It was sold on an on-line auction. The hammer price was $300, to which one must add 20-23% for the privilege of bidding on it, then add $100 or so for the shipping. Starts to add up.

Any thing I purchase I always add all the costs together for the final purchase price. But it nice to say I only paid $$ for the machine to look like a good bargain. Tom B

Was that online auction through an Asian place somewhere in California? If so, I know that machine - it has some issues, and it has been auctioned and reauctioned repeatedly over the past two or three years. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns up again, at the same place.