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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176473192034 ... p_homepage

So reads the seller's description of this strange HMV102 concoction. Oblivious to the Italian wording inside the lid he describes it as French, but he has noticed the non-original Thorens soundbox and has assumed that the machine is Swiss made.

Unusually, the black case has chrome corners, lock etc. The green turntable felt looks like a replacement. The lid transfer panel has been removed, and a patch of material bearing the "La Voce del Padrone" transfer has been stuck over the gap left behind.

UPDATE.

The listing was ended on 19 July, but the machine has been relisted with a slight "improvement".
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176499773597?

The patch of material which was stuck over the gap left by the missing lid transfer panel has now been mounted on a panel and re-attached, but several anomalies still remain, including :

The black case has chrome plated external fittings. Normally these are black on black 102's.
The grain of the leathercloth is unlike any that I have seen on a 102.

Much as I would like an Italian 102, I have serious reservations about this one.

epigramophone wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2024 4:09 am https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176473192034 ... p_homepage

So reads the seller's description of this strange HMV102 concoction. Oblivious to the Italian wording inside the lid he describes it as French, but he has noticed the non-original Thorens soundbox and has assumed that the machine is Swiss made.

Unusually, the black case has chrome corners, lock etc. The green turntable felt looks like a replacement. The lid transfer panel has been removed, and a patch of material bearing the "La Voce del Padrone" transfer has been stuck over the gap left behind.

Very interesting.

I saw this item before-hand and appreciate your appraisal.

It has quite obviously been re-covered with non original mismatching chrome and nickel fittings to the outside; someone's idea of a restoration, no doubt.

I bought the Italian 102 which you thought had been painted; it hadn't, but someone had been slightly overzealous polishing it with a black leather dye / cleaner. The previous owner believes the solution used was identical to the component originally added during the rexine manufacture.