The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've just got back from RetroTech UK where it was a very busy and costly visit for me. I came home with six portables, of which the 118 was the most "necessary" addition to my expanding Colonial collection. I'd never even seen a 118 for sale before, either on Ebay or anywhere else:

I have no idea why the pictures end up upside down. They don't start that way and clicking on them corrects them anyway but if anyone can kindly advise on this, please do let me know.

Congratulations, it is a very nice machine! I have one of these, it has a good sound and it looks good too with these banded case. What about the other five?

Steve wrote: Sun May 21, 2023 12:18 pm I've just got back from RetroTech UK where it was a very busy and costly visit for me. I came home with six portables, of which the 118 was the most "necessary" addition to my expanding Colonial collection. I'd never even seen a 118 for sale before, either on Ebay or anywhere else:

Well, that's all very well and what not, but what I want to know is how many letters, numbers and secret pharmacy characters are punched into the motor-board !

Was great meeting you today Steve! Could have chatted all day long if I didn’t have to get away! Pleased you got this from Mark. Lovely machine!

There was a rather tired 118 sold at the CLPGS Malvern auction for £55 last October. Could this be it?

epigramophone wrote: Mon May 22, 2023 3:08 am There was a rather tired 118 sold at the CLPGS Malvern auction for £55 last October. Could this be it?

Yes, more than likely, especially as it was Brian Oakley who initially sold it to Mark Robinson earlier in the day who then sold it to me. This was the one time paying extra for early entry would have benefited me.

As for the CLPGS auction, it says far more to me about CLPGS auction buyers than it does the machine!

Adamp1gramophone wrote: Sun May 21, 2023 5:59 pm Was great meeting you today Steve! Could have chatted all day long if I didn’t have to get away! Pleased you got this from Mark. Lovely machine!

Yes, Mark was at first a little reluctant to sell it on yesterday as he knows full and well it would make a great Ebay item. Luckily the smell of hard cash under his nose worked a treat!

And yes, we could have chatted happily for a lot longer given the circumstances. I was very pleased to meet you and your fiance; it was incredibly encouraging to see your obvious passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for these old relics. I'd almost given up hope that any younger people might be interested in our hobby which is predominantly the domain of "older guys"!

Congratulations again on buying the best machine in the hall! You obviously know your stuff!

Congratulations, Steve
This is for sure something that will neve be found around here...

nostalgia wrote: Mon May 22, 2023 7:03 am Congratulations, Steve
This is for sure something that will neve be found around here...

Thanks, Martin. Indeed, I had never seen one in the flesh in over 30 years of collecting. I don't think there will be many around these parts either!