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I am just wondering what the level of interest / 'desirability level' is in the USA with regard to the HMV 101 and HMV 102 models ?

I assume that they are not generally available in the USA ?

I think they're desirable, though not necessarily plentiful. I have acquired a couple of 101s, but haven't run across a 102 yet. My 101 is my favorite portable.

As well, British upright and console gramophones do turn up with some regularity, though not necessarily the HMV marque. My daily driver is an HMV 157, which is perfect for my small home.

poodling around wrote: Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:08 am I am just wondering what the level of interest / 'desirability level' is in the USA with regard to the HMV 101 and HMV 102 models ?

I assume that they are not generally available in the USA ?

In 1907 G&T (HMV) and Victor signed a reciprocal agreement whereby neither would trade in the other's territory.
It follows therefore that HMV products were not sold in the USA.
Many of the HMV portables in the USA were probably brought there by servicemen returning home after WW2.

I personally find them very desirable. I own some of each. I actually prefer the 101 to the 102 for its looks. With a properly restored soundbox, the 101 performs quite well.

Their compact size, relatively light weight, performance and build quality (except for the unserviceable #16 soundbox on some 102s) make them far superior to most USA built portables. The Victor 2-55 & 2-65 perform well, but are clunky compared to the top tier HMV portables.

I think there would be a lot more of these HMV portable gramophones (particularly 102s) in the USA if the cost to ship them were not so expensive.

I’ve been fortunate to turn up 4 or 5 of them here in California, including a red leather / gold hardware 101, over the years. They are the absolute best portable, both for sound and for design. Well worth searching for!

Both models seem to turn up often here in Canada.

One of my first antique phonographs was an HMV - either a 101 or a 102. I traded it and a Magnavox radio driver and horn in February 1968 for my first Edison (a Standard B of course).

Even at age 13 I was impressed with the quality of the machine. It was blue, and as I recall, the crank exited the box horizontally. Is that possible? Also, the pivoting needle cup in the corner of the case was chrome. The machine was equipped with a No.4 sound box, and it played very well as I recall.

I haven't run across another in the wild in all the ensuing years. I wouldn't mind having it back now...

George P.

I own two HMV 101s (black and brown crocodile) and a 102 in black. In the record room now I have at hand for daily player a 127 with a Meltrope III soundbox, and it sounds great! Yet from time to time I take one of the portables and play some records on it. Most of these times, it is a101. I don't know why, but it's overall look and feel suits me more than the 102, being (supposedly) a better machine. I don't like the 102 with steel needles, I find it too loud and too much treble and needle talk. I prefer it's sound with Bamboo needles. But as its tracking alignment is so bad (worse than the 101) the bamboo point doesn't last too long... Maybe it's only that these times I'm more used to the sound of the 101, which in all, I find warmer. Also I find more elegant the thinner 101 tonearm than the 102, so fat and short... And I like more the look of the no4 soundbox, it seems something so simple and mysterious at the same time... I cannot take my eyes out of it when playing. The aesthetics of the 5a metal soundbox fits better in the looks of the great reentrant machines. In the small 102 it looks and sounds like an elephant in a china store!
But in all I understand that the 102 is a better machine: louder sound, more freq response, better motor, faster to set-up, even easier to wind up. But it cannot step up on the elegance of the 101... Just my thoughts!

Very good.

Thank you everyone for your responses and most interesting information, opinions and recollections.

I am now 'all the wiser'.

I collect portables for their variety of colours and finishes, but only use them for outdoor playing. I have owned many 101's over the years, but decided to concentrate on the 102 because this is the model which the market wants. At 75 next birthday I am now collecting with the next generation in mind. They are interested but cannot keep everything, so I want to bequeath them machines which will be easy to sell for good prices.

With perseverance and a certain amount of luck I now have a collection of UK 102's in every catalogued colour, plus a French one in blue, an Indian teak one and a Russian copy. I feel a group photograph coming on some time soon.