The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This has been up for sale for a while now on eBay, I'm rather curious as to what model people think it is, and whether the price tag is worth it

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Original-Early-Gr ... lephony_SM

A high(er) quality Crapophone? That's why it hasn't sold. Oh yes, and the fact the seller is obviously yet another Ebayer being 'discreet with the truth' !

Why are the pictures so bad? Why does the winding handle side of the case not appear in any picture? Why is there no claimed maker's name? Why? Because it is a made-up or 'bitsa' machine, that's why and the seller knows this fact but won't admit to it!

The tone-arm and elbow look to be HMV parts but it's difficult from the lousy pictures to tell either way? The soundbox is anyones guess. The elbow does not fit either the horn OR the back-bracket, hence that odd cylindrical part which has been welded on. The cabinet appears to be from an anonymous (non-HMV branded) maker. I certainly don't recognize the model anyway.

If you're seriously interested you should ask for much lighter, higher-res photos of ALL the cabinet and the horn / hardware.

Would I take a punt on it? Absolutely definitely not, even at half the money! I suspect it's a German/Swiss machine with some HMV bits drafted onto it. What exactly was 'restored' about it, is very hard to determine.

The winding handle is visible in the 2nd picture but the camera angle makes it hard to spot.
Man, this one had me fooled. This has to be the first crapophone I have seen which didn't have a shiny golden horn and looked obviously fake. The horn fooled me

Hehe, I may mail the seller and ask what brand it is

the winding handle side of the case not appear in any picture

I appreciate the handle itself might be visible but not the side of the cabinet into which the handle goes. Is this a convenient ploy to hide the fact that it's been re-motored? It might not have but I'm always suspicious of lazy Ebay listings that mention 'restoration' and yet give nothing else away by way of description or photographs. Or let's put it another way, it would be easy to disguise the fact that it's been re-motored with this specific Ebay listing.

I would contact the seller and let us know what you get back.

I also wonder how it becomes a "dining room talking point" when it's been stored in the "back bedroom ever since"..(restoration)

Jholmesesq,

I'd call it more of a "Frankenphone" than a Crapophone. It looks like most of the parts might be authentic but taken from a variety of machines. Looks like a columbia case or something of the sort with HMV back bracket, tonearm & horn and who knows where the motor came from, possibly a later victrola? The crank looks too large and thick for an HMV horn machine.

I agree with Steve that the only way to know for certain what you have there is with some good hi-res pictures in good light, showing details like inside of the case. I'd certainly stay away from it unless provided some very detailed pics that would allow a real inspection.

I dont even think it's an HMv horn. It doesn't appear to have the decorative grooves pressed into the petals, and it doesn't even fit the elbow properly.
I guess this could be due to the huge gold? bolt through the elbow

I sent this question today:

Dear cratetechpacking,

Hi there,

I was just wondering what make and model this gramophone is, also what is the make of the soundbox - I could see some writing on it but could not make it out

Thanks

- mrjingjing4147

...and in return I got this reply:

Dear mrjingjing4147,

Its a HMV not badged - will let you know other - going on hols so will do qwik deal

- cratetechpacking


....Wow, this reeks of suspicion. A "not badged HMV"? Deary me

Yikes...."qwik deal". Giveaway #1.

Sean

According to a UK collector who knows the provenance of this machine, the cabinet started life as an HMV Hornless model and has had the doors and louvres removed and replaced with a blank oak panel!

Therefore the only redeeming 'value' lies in the spare parts but we can't even be certain what they are from those lousy photographs.

I think 'qwik (sp.) deal' actually translates into: vendor will do a runner when he's got your money!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!