The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I don't know 'what to make of this' at all.

It seems very well made. Could it be an early electric motor model ? Or fairly recently created ?

I like it and I don't like it oddly enough.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 137623a025

The World War 1 themed carvings are not something that I would expect to see on a commercially produced machine, and I doubt that they would be featured on a recently made cabinet either .
From the haphazard but well executed design I think this was made by a keen amateur woodworker in the late 1920's or early 1930's, using bought in electrical components. It is certainly an acquired taste.

It is very cool. I love the tacky leopard skin print around the bases of the turntable and the tone arm.

I wonder if if the machine as a whole is not something that has evolved under the hands of a music enthusiast with basic skills. The motor board looks a bit home done.

I am reminded the the ad hoc stereo set of my childhood which my father tinkered with and expanded. It started life as a tube driven mono radio/record player in a vertical cabinet. An early Dual (very strange) turntable with a ceramic stereo cartridge was added. A small 5 watt single-ended Class A tube amp was added for the second channel. A satellite speaker appeared. Things changed over time. My mother was tolerant of my father's enthusiasms.

epigramophone wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 7:12 am The World War 1 themed carvings are not something that I would expect to see on a commercially produced machine, and I doubt that they would be featured on a recently made cabinet either .
From the haphazard but well executed design I think this was made by a keen amateur woodworker in the late 1920's or early 1930's, using bought in electrical components. It is certainly an acquired taste.

Very interesting.

I notice that the initials 'C&R" seem to be on the front. There was I think a company with the same initials which made various WW1 items such as binoculars, compasses, guns and firing pins. Probably no connection.

Maybe 'Charles Rex' though ....................

Maybe a gift from France to a church show appreciation of our solidarity during WW1 ? (Probably not - although I can't help but think that there is some really interesting history associated with it .......... ?).

I think the cabinet with arched opening is a remnant of an old upright radio cabinet...

Curt A wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:51 am I think the cabinet with arched opening is a remnant of an old upright radio cabinet...

I see what you mean.

The 'awkward' styled front section also reminds me a little bit of a Klingsor gramophone.

Maybe the auction house might give a clue as to the seller / origin of the piece if they are contacted or perhaps looking at other items in the same auction might 'tie in' ?

This is definitely home made by someone that lacks artistic design skills - it's a hodge podge of styles that don't go together... "Goodbyee" and a small armchair?

Sold for £140 hammer price which I think equates to about £180 all-up. I was outbid way under that. I would have sold the empty cabinet on but kept the interesting electric turntable, and the valve amplifier that might have been inside. Maybe whoever bought it will have the opposite idea and the parts might even come up for sale!