The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Having read a few threads on here I realise that the Columbia 211 isn't the best made gramophone in the world but I bought one as I also read that it is historically important as it is the last model issued by HMV and Columbia ? Something like that anyway. It was very inexpensive too and is the only Columbia I own.

I actually really like this gramophone by the way.

I need help deciphering the ivorine though. (Photograph 'below'):

My questions are:

I can't seem to find any reference to a 211 b - only 211 a ?
Is that B/B or B/ 8 - and does this date the machine please I wonder ? If so, what is the date ?
What does the number '104' mean ?

I was also very surprised to see that the underside of the turntable has what appears to be some kind of rubber stamp marking, which states 'War Finish'. This made me laugh as it probably means that this version is more cheaply made than usual - ha ! (Photograph 'below'). Didn't HMV cease production or gramophones during the 2nd World War ?

The stamp above the 'War Finish mark' is unclear but may read 1948 ? Maybe not ?

Thank you so much for any help you can give.

It's B8. Add the 8 onto 1936, which is when the numbering system began, and so the date is 1944. No idea what "War Finish" means though, the War hadn't started at that point!

Barry

Phono48 wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 11:12 am It's B8. Add the 8 onto 1936, which is when the numbering system began, and so the date is 1944. No idea what "War Finish" means though, the War hadn't started at that point!

Barry

Thank you very much Barry !

Good joke too - I guess you mean't hadn't finished though. Very funny all the same !

the War hadn't started at that point!

WW-II started in Sept. 1939 and ended in Sept. 1945. I suspect "War Finish" was an attempt to conserve on materials that were considered as needed for the war effort.

Jerry B.

Jerry B. wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 1:24 pm

the War hadn't started at that point!

WW-II started in Sept. 1939 and ended in Sept. 1945. I suspect "War Finish" was an attempt to conserve on materials that were considered as needed for the war effort.

Jerry B.

I see. Maybe.

I thought maybe that they had to make do with substitute, lower quality materials. Like during the war HMV and Columbia needles were sold in cardboard containers rather than the usual tins.

poodling around wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 12:04 pm Good joke too - I guess you mean't hadn't finished though. Very funny all the same !

Oh dear, I have had a hard day! What was I thinking of when I said the War hadn't started?

Barry