The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have never seen a rare dark blue 101 - although I often think I have but have been mistaken.

Is this one I wonder ?

[url]https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235059409473 ... R7iMz9abYg[/url

Oh, I am reliably informed that it is / was.

I am very happy to say that I now know clearly what one looks like ............... at last !!!!! (Having bought a crocodile one a while ago thinking it was the same thing !!!).

Judging by the dent adjacent to the lock, I think they've been sticking the handle in the wrong place trying to get it to work!

I do wonder on a serious note if they think you have to wind constantly to make it go around. Maybe they don't know there is a brake on it? It's easy to forget sometimes just how little a lot of people know about these obsolete things!

Steve wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2023 7:09 am Judging by the dent adjacent to the lock, I think they've been sticking the handle in the wrong place trying to get it to work!

I do wonder on a serious note if they think you have to wind constantly to make it go around. Maybe they don't know there is a brake on it? It's easy to forget sometimes just how little a lot of people know about these obsolete things!

Ha ha ! VERY true indeed.

It did look in very good condition so I guess the likely-hood is that it actually works.

As you say, it is easy to forget that most people know nothing about gramophones and most of the remaining people don't even care

A most unattractive colour! As coloured models cost more than the standard black, I can't see why anyone would pay extra to buy what is only a shade off black. I have one. bought off eBay because I thought it WAS black!

Barry

Phono48 wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:27 pm A most unattractive colour! As coloured models cost more than the standard black, I can't see why anyone would pay extra to buy what is only a shade off black. I have one. bought off eBay because I thought it WAS black!

Barry

The gramophone buying public clearly took the same view, as the dark blue version proved to be a poor seller.

Phono48 wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2023 1:27 pm A most unattractive colour! As coloured models cost more than the standard black, I can't see why anyone would pay extra to buy what is only a shade off black. I have one. bought off eBay because I thought it WAS black!

Barry

Well, I don't collect gramophones just for their colour (although I have a couple of ww1 Decca's which I did choose because they have copper reflectors).

Having said that, it seems that this colour of HMV 101 attracts a higher price because they are rare. So there we have it. You and I would not pay extra simply for this colour but it seems very many collectors would. I guess it is for investment purposes - which applies of course to other types of gramophones as well. Scarcity can increase value - for some. If you believe the hype.

And the question is... Was this colour original? Or has it got darker through the many years passed?

Well my take on it is this. No, nobody asked me but I'll gladly share it with you anyway I couldn't care less how other people value items as I only buy what I like and can appreciate for what gives me pleasure. I have over hundred gramophones but not a single phonograph as I've never heard one that can play as well as an average off-brand make of gramophone. Records are plentiful and cheap. Cylinders are not.

That is not a criticism of anyone who buys phonographs per se but simply an illustration and reason why I don't buy them. I don't like the aesthetics of them either. Okay, that's three reasons now so I'll grab my coat.......

The point is we are all different and view things in our own unique ways. It would be boring if we all collected exactly the same items........and more expensive!

I like the black blue 101 because unlike Columbia, HMV never made a rexine covered interior in black until the late 102 or one of those later cheap nasties.

The black blue also uniquely has nickel fittings to the outer, not shared with the black. Like a Columbia 206 I like the blue mat against black interior. Yes, I like it, not for some perceived rarity or foolhardy preoccupation with value. If I get one it will be because I enjoy 101s in all colours apart from maybe grey crocodile turned brown, rexine red and the sickly green variations. I have five different brown 101s but no room for the former colours. I'm not your typical collector looking for one of each colour, if there is any such thing as a typical collector anyway?

And yes I realise the front winder had nickel fittings as I have at least three of those as well...........

Inigo wrote: Wed Jun 21, 2023 3:42 pm And the question is... Was this colour original? Or has it got darker through the many years passed?

Original. The horn didn't magically turn darker blue along with the rexine