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What with all of the excitement going on at the moment about the Gramophone Company early model auction on ebay I remembered that I have a replica Clark-Johnson sound-box (Numbered K19985). (Photograph of my sound-box below).

I have only seen one other with the same number as mine which appeared on an auction site some years ago: (I assume it isn't the same one ?).

https://auction.specialauctionservices. ... 11824&sd=1

(Photograph of the auction gramophone below).

I understand that these sound-boxes were made during 1980's / 90's maybe in India - maybe some-where else ?

So basically I wonder if anyone has some information about these ?

Thank you for any information as always.

The Late Barry Williamson of Phonoservice (Liverpool) certainly made some extremely high quality reproduction Clarke-Johnson soundboxes in the 1980's, but he rather thoughtfully opted to inscribe a "P" in lieu of the "J", so as to ensure that unscrupulous sellers would not attempt to pass off his reproductions as originals. His purpose in making them was purely to help collectors complete machines were they were often missing.

I believe Keith Badman also made copies but used the same serial number on all copies.

The ‘K’ on your copy indicates that this was not intended to be sold as original, something the Indian copies would not be concerned about, unless a mistake. Has the back been marked? If so I wonder if you could post a picture of the back?

jamiegramo wrote: Wed Mar 25, 2026 7:14 am I believe Keith Badman also made copies but used the same serial number on all copies.

The ‘K’ on your copy indicates that this was not intended to be sold as original, something the Indian copies would not be concerned about, unless a mistake. Has the back been marked? If so I wonder if you could post a picture of the back?

Very interesting indeed.

I 'attach' three photographs 'below', one is the box it came with, one shows the (protective / removable) 'paper' cylinder thing which was wrapped around the 'long throat' bit and the other shows the back markings.

Thank you again for your comments / observations etc.

jamiegramo wrote: Wed Mar 25, 2026 7:14 am I believe Keith Badman also made copies but used the same serial number on all copies.

The ‘K’ on your copy indicates that this was not intended to be sold as original, something the Indian copies would not be concerned about, unless a mistake. Has the back been marked? If so I wonder if you could post a picture of the back?

Oh, the letter 'F' in France was a bit out of focus so here is a closer view (below).

I think the letter 'K' intrigues me a lot as there doesn't seem to any reference to it that I can see any-where apart from at that auction.

A previous thread on this subject :

viewtopic.php?t=50271&start=10

Some years ago I sold a replica for £90. I cannot remember the Serial Number and the eBay listing is long gone.

epigramophone wrote: Wed Mar 25, 2026 2:53 pm A previous thread on this subject :

viewtopic.php?t=50271&start=10

Some years ago I sold a replica for £90. I cannot remember the Serial Number and the eBay listing is long gone.

Very interesting.

However, the thread you mention is about a common / usual 'J' and this thread is about a 'K' which is quite different.

Oh, and I bought this many years ago for approximately £ 20.

Steve wrote: Wed Mar 25, 2026 7:00 am The Late Barry Williamson of Phonoservice (Liverpool) certainly made some extremely high quality reproduction Clarke-Johnson soundboxes in the 1980's, but he rather thoughtfully opted to inscribe a "P" in lieu of the "J", so as to ensure that unscrupulous sellers would not attempt to pass off his reproductions as originals. His purpose in making them was purely to help collectors complete machines were they were often missing.

Very interesting.

Thank you as always steve.

Any ideas on the 'K' variant I wonder ?

I actually won the coin-op you linked from that auction! It came with many repro parts, including the soundbox. I’ve spent a lot of time finding original parts since the auction! I did a joint post with David Lundin in the APS magazine a couple of issues back.

The repro soundbox did have K19985. I still have it, which means at least 2 exist! I never found any extra information on these, other than what has already been noted here! I’ve added an image of my example with the serial number visible.

Adamp1gramophone wrote: Sun Mar 29, 2026 6:08 am I actually won the coin-op you linked from that auction! It came with many repro parts, including the soundbox. I’ve spent a lot of time finding original parts since the auction! I did a joint post with David Lundin in the APS magazine a couple of issues back.

The repro soundbox did have K19985. I still have it, which means at least 2 exist! I never found any extra information on these, other than what has already been noted here! I’ve added an image of my example with the serial number visible.

Hi Adam,
Thank you for posting the picture. I guess J18285 is original? If so it’s thumbscrew is later whereas the thumbscrew on the copy looks correct. You could always swap them over.

How is the back of J18285 marked? I wonder if it has the simple patent script or the export script.