GRAMOPHONES
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HMV Model 157 Upright Grand Gramophone in Oak
Circa 1929
Originally part of the Ian Calderbank Collection of Gramophones.
This Gramophone has been Sold, but the details might be of interest to fellow Collectors.
From the Ian Calderbank Collection of Gramophones
Advert from the 1930 HMV Catalogue
The HMV Model 157 was available between autumn of 1927 and circa 1932
This Gramophone embodied the pinnacle of acoustic Gramophone design excellence; by the mid-thirties the wind-up horn Gramophone was obsolete, having been replaced by realistically priced electric sound amplification models. The Soundbox is the part where the needle is inserted, this Gramophone has a Model 5A Soundbox which incorporated the ultimate and final HMV design features. The greater the distance between the Soundbox diaphragm and the mouth of the Horn the better the sound quality. You will notice unlike previous Gramophones this Gramophone contains no record storage. The complete area underneath the playing deck is utilised by the internal horn, the sound is communicated through a series of baffles mathematically designed so as not to distort the sound. The effect is that the Sound has to travel a long distance inside the Gramophone to the front of the Horn, hence the sound quality improvement.
The gramophone has an automatic pointer which moves to show the record playing speed, 12" turntable and the powerful No. 32 two spring motor.
I bought this Gramophone in 1997 because the case and fittings were in such excellent condition. It did not work when I bought it; what had happened was that during Servicing the automatic start/stop mechanism had been incorrectly assembled making it impossible to operate the Gramophone correctly. This must have happened years ago, because the grease surrounding the main springs had completely solidified, the Gramophone must have stood for decades, presumably covered up and completely unused. The motor has now been properly serviced and the springs repacked in new grease ready for another 75 years.
Condition:- The effect of the quarter sawn Oak and what could almost be selected veneers make the cabinet very attractive. The nickel plate and cabinet are in excellent condition.
I have tried to describe the Gramophone accurately. However, it must be born in mind unlike many "Antiques" that have been safely stored against the ravages of time in a display cabinet; the Gramophone was a Domestic Appliance which was a main source of home entertainment.
Realistically the only Gramophones that won't show signs of age are over restored examples, or the reproduction models imported from the Far East.
HMV Model 157 Upright Grand Gramophone in Oak
THE BELOW ITEMS ARE FOR SALE FROM MY COLLECTION
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