The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125137388666 ... Sw4N1iAWjj

Anyone ever seen one before ?

It has parts identical to those found on HMV machines: tonearm, soundbox, all lid stays, tungstyle needle tin clips, winding handle stow clips, tonearm rest clip etc. The lid moldings and front flap detailing are near identical too, however there is something not quite right about the front lid edge and the right hand front pillar to edge of flap. Note the carved detail similar to a 130 on the left, but missing on the right hand side. Also there has been some damage and / or repair or odd construction of the front of lid.

Also, the grille isn't teak but looks more like the HMV mahogany grille. Note where it has been stripped and poorly refinished. Why would it need restoration when it is normally safely protected behind the otherwise apparently perfect front flap / door? Something is a bit fishy about the whole thing to my mind.

It's a bit of a mystery. I've never heard of a Johnson phone before. Was he Crapophone's brother?

Sold at auction last month for £110, and now looking likely to make a profit for the buyer.

https://auctions.jsfineart.co.uk/past-a ... 1f012fa4a6

The transfer in the lid has got to be the worst imitation of the "His Masters' Voice" trademark ever!

Barry

it is also weird that it has handle clips in the lid, normally found on a portable, but no carrying handle on the case....... Never seen a table model with handle clips.

Never seen a transportable without a carrying handle. Strange indeed.

A quick Google of Johnson Phone only brings up an old news story about our Prime Minister's private phone number being accidentally made public for 15 years!

I've just watched the Sellers video and wished I hadn't. He handles everything like a lout after spending all night in the pub. I'm surprised there's any machine left after the way he brutally handles it. Whatever it is its a shame the condition will be much worse after the probable lack of care packing and shipping it by this complete buffoon with a total lack of empathy for anything delicate and antique.

It's a crying shame.

Aha. It seems we've encountered and discussed this machine before back in 2013:

viewtopic.php?t=14382

I know who this belonged to (I think most of us will) and its appearance in a Banbury auction 9 years later now makes sense. This was the auction room dealing with a certain notorious collector / dealer's deceased estate. It fits the kind of items he bought anyway but I've cross checked the scratches in the case and holes in the grille cloth and its definitely the same one!

So does anyone else think this is just a moderately more sophisticated Frankenphone?

Steve wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:11 pm

I've just watched the Sellers video and wished I hadn't. He handles everything like a lout after spending all night in the pub.

He does the same with all the gramophones he demonstrates! He hasn't the faintest idea how gramophones work.

Barry