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I saw this interesting (and apparently rare) gramophone on ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/406859292338 ... R9Cn25myZw

and 'looked it up' on the internet.

The photographs I saw of other examples did not have what looks like a 'large black metallic turning knob' thingy at the front, to the left of the winding handle. (Who needs commas ?).

This puzzles me even more because it seems to get in the way if you want to wind the gramophone motor.

So I wonder, does anyone know what the 'large black metallic turning knob' thingy at the front actually is ?

Thank you for any help as always.

This is the speed control. The seller says it is missing so it seems he has replaced it with this large black knob.

jamiegramo wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2026 12:06 pm This is the speed control. The seller says it is missing so it seems he has replaced it with this large black knob.

Oh, thank you as always jamiegramo, I must have missed that.

It still seems to get in the way of the winding handle - but maybe not.

This period advertisement shows the original speed control knob.
The seller has set a reserve. Will they get it? Let's wait and see.

poodling around wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2026 12:23 pm

jamiegramo wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2026 12:06 pm This is the speed control. The seller says it is missing so it seems he has replaced it with this large black knob.

Oh, thank you as always jamiegramo, I must have missed that.

It still seems to get in the way of the winding handle - but maybe not.

No, it doesn't. If you look closely you will note the winding handle on these machines is angled at about 120 degrees, thus easily missing even the over-sized (replacement) speed control. If it had a 90 degree handle, similar to an HMV 101, then it might just obstruct it.

Interesting that the ad doesn't mention that these very cheaply made machines were given away FREELY to subscribers who purchased the Camp exercise "work-out" records.

There is another one currently on Ebay, this one in the US where it belongs, and appears to have had a little more fun at summer camp!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335861914415?

The machine in question got up to £65.74 (nearly $90 US) but didn’t make the reserve. If I was the seller I would have been delighted with the price especially as the speed control has been replaced with what looks like a screwdriver and I don’t find the machine particularly interesting.

Am I missing something here? Does the wood finish case make the portable more valuable?

I was the high bidder but at £75 I didn't meet reserve. The seller re-listed it today with a BIN price of £89.10 or offers. I made a fair offer between the two and won it earlier today.

It is not exactly a common machine in the US, apparently, but over here, a Hen's Teeth item. There is a very tatty example on US Ebay currently but although its being sold by Goodwill Stores (a charity?), the international shipping is quoted at about £100!

If you're interested in rare and early-ish portables that grew from record album series distribution and you have a penchant for wooden cased portables (that's about 4 of us then!), this was a rare opportunity to acquire such an item.

The weirdest thing though is the seller consulted a "Gramophone society" about it and thankfully decided to not refinish the case BUT informs me there is an Allen key with it for the speed adjustment. I will probably raid another machine for a knurled screw speed control or simply leave it as is.

I mean what are the chances another one will be available here any day soon........yes, knowing my luck probably tomorrow morning and at a BIN of £25 with free postage!

jamiegramo wrote: Sat Apr 25, 2026 12:04 pm The machine in question got up to £65.74 (nearly $90 US) but didn’t make the reserve. If I was the seller I would have been delighted with the price especially as the speed control has been replaced with what looks like a screwdriver and I don’t find the machine particularly interesting.

Am I missing something here? Does the wood finish case make the portable more valuable?

I was the high bidder but at £75 I didn't meet reserve. The seller re-listed it today with a BIN price of £89.10 or offers. I made a fair offer between the two and won it earlier today.

It is not exactly a common machine in the US, apparently, but over here, a Hen's Teeth item. There is a very tatty example on US Ebay currently but although its being sold by Goodwill Stores (a charity?), the international shipping is quoted at about £100!

If you're interested in rare and early-ish portables that grew from record album series distribution and you have a penchant for wooden cased portables (that's about 4 of us then!), this was a rare opportunity to acquire such an item.

The weirdest thing though is the seller consulted a "Gramophone society" about it and thankfully decided to not refinish the case BUT informs me there is an Allen key with it for the speed adjustment. I will probably raid another machine for a knurled screw speed control or simply leave it as is.

I mean what are the chances another one will be available here any day soon........yes, knowing my luck probably tomorrow morning and at a BIN of £25 with free postage!