​To ask a question, or raise a topic, please email:  [email protected]

Topics of general interest will be posted in this blog, at the Editor's discretion.  If you can respond with relevant information, please click on Comments (at top right of each blog post). 

Please note:  CLPGS regrets it is UNABLE TO OFFER ANY VALUATIONS of machines, records or cylinders.  Instead contact a commercial dealer, or Auction house, some of which are listed on the Web Links page, and in Trade Adverts.

Has any collector affiliated with the CLPGS been to the HMV complex in Dum Dum, India? I am specifically wondering if there are any Archives there related to gramophones, and their production. I contacted an Indian collector who told me that Michael Kinnear had been there, but it was in the early 1990s. I ask, because I am tempted to visit myself. 

I was interested to hear of your organisation, I have a small beer mat of yours.

I thought you might be interested to know that my late father was a recording engineer with EMI, then known as the Gramophone Company. He made records all over the world with for the COLUMBIA label. Near the end of his career and his life he was posted to Singapore recording local talent. I was born in Singapore in Nov. 1939 and we lived there until the Japanese invasion. My mother and I managed to leave by ship to return to the UK but my dad remained, joining the local volunteer force in a vain effort to save Singapore from the Japs. He was captured and sent to a POW camp and was murdered while building the Burma railway.

EMI do not have a list of his recordings but we do know that among many others he was in charge of the recording of the song; "Rose, Rose I love you" by Miss HUE LEE on Columbia DB2837, it was not released until the 1950's when it became a big hit. Just thought yo might be interested in that story.

​Regards, Tony Lennane
[email protected]

Hello,

I have two very tired old broken Edison Standard bases with which I hope to practice my revival techniques!
(arguably they're beyond the pale with splits & shakes with most of the finish worn away having been in a damp old shed - so nothing ventured, nothing gained!)

I've acquired some pearl glue for the repair of breaks, & was going to start experimenting on the base plinth cleaning off the muck & grime with either a proprietary wax & varnish remover, or TOM (3 equal parts Turps, Linseed Oil & Meths), followed by an application of Briwax or Black Bison, applied with 0000 guage wire wool. All the joints of these bases came apart quite readily, - presumably as they had been kept in a farely damp environment.  

Any comments guidance, advice or expert recipes for looking after the woodwork of these old machines would be much appreciated.

Kind regards,
Richard from Shrewsbury

Hello,

I have a near complete set of bound Gramophone Magazines dating from the first edition in 1923. I am looking for a good home for them- in particular, a museum or other historical society. They would be bequeathed in the name of a deceased relative who collected them.
Do you have any suggestions?

Many thanks

Ian Freed
[email protected]

Good day,

I have recently enquired via a company in America about the purchase of a reproducer for an Edison Gem Model D that I have been given by my Father, they pointed me in your direction.
The problem lies in the fact that it at some point in its life it suffered a break off of the section that accepts the horn. The mend is a total mess, which has recently broke off again, this time I have managed to use a glue to fix it. I wonder if you could point me in the right direction for, hopefully a purchase of the said item.
The reproducer is a K combination, and hopefully I can achieve the same. I am looking forward to learning a lot more about these wonderful pieces of historical engineering, my passion lies in music, all types.

Regards Dave Brunton.
Email
[email protected]
Address
BECCLES

I have recently acquired a wind up gramophone from a friend and I am enjoying playing it. I would like to know what date it was made but cannot find any information - I don't even know the make as its just got Harmony, Clarity Beauty on the inside front lid with some fancy initials and then London W1 and on the sound box british made. Any ideas who made it and how old it is. I have searched the web for HCB gramophone but no luck.

Heres hoping you can help. 

Beverley Reynolds
[email protected]

Dear Friends,

I have an inquiry concerning exhibition of a private collection of crested china gramophones.

I have collected porcelain gramophones for many years, but now I feel it would be time to find a museum that can exhibit the collection to the public. I am not planning to sell the collection (550-600 items and still growing), but I would like to find a place, where the collection could be exhibited for the future.

Website:  http://gramophone.mono.net  (see PHOTOS)

Does anyone know a museum in the UK (or elsewhere) that has space for a few vitrines for the collection?

With compliments,

Gert Almind
Denmark

I have a Dictaphone wax cylinder with a recording made about 1950. I believe it contains recitals by my family including myself.

​The dimensions are 15.5 cms long and 5.7 cms wide with a bore of 4.7 cms.
 
Can anyone help me to read this cylinder and re-record on say MP3 or MP4 format.
 
Thank you
Ian Payne
Coulsdon, Surrey
Email: [email protected]

Almost on a whim, and certainly as a last-minute arrangement, I attended the CLPGS October meeting in Great Malvern as a shiny new member - very green to the whole subject of gramophones and phonographs. Can I say to anyone thinking of joining this society - the oldest of it's kind anywhere in the world - don't think about it ! Just join ! It's an incredible society and it needs the support of members to remain so. 
 
The Great Malvern event was an absolutely fantastic weekend at every level. I was made to feel incredibly welcome by members and the committee, and the lectures, the location, the catering and the social events were outstanding. As a younger guy, I was simply blown away by the depth of knowledge held within this vibrant and learned society. I cannot thank everyone enough for their advice, their geniality and their infectious enthusiasm. For quite a number of years, I have pondered the idea of owning and using a gramophone, and a visit to the Musical Museum in Brentford three years ago refreshed my interest. But at my stage in life (with very young children), and with the difficulties of acquiring a machine, I simply 'sat' on the idea for a while. I'm now very glad I've signed up !! The quality of the presentations at this October meet was inspiring, and for that alone, the weekend was very worthwhile attending. But now that I have been both kindly and ably assisted in the purchase of gramophones (yes, plural.....that was a shock for my wife !), I'm very pleased with these beautiful and melodious museum pieces (as are in fact my family). They bring fun and warmth to a household, and I hope, that in time, they instil a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for these wonderful mechanical inventions in my own young boys. 
Thank you again,
 
Paul

Hello,

From a friend of mine from Fullham UK, I’ve got an old gramophone.
It is a cabinet mede by J Collier&Son Ltd, trade mark: Colonola Gramophonos.
Mechanical and sound are made in the Swiss.
Factory info: Apollo TRX number 169349513.
As far I know this cabinet is built in 1939.
I’m looking for the history of this cabinet.
Do you have any idea of the current value of the cabinet?

Thanks in forward, for all info that you can find.

Henk Snijder
The Netherlands

Hello,

Do you know anyone ,who deals in 80 rpm pathe disc centre start? Or anyone who may have some to sell?

Yours,
Sean Atherton 

[email protected]

​

I am disappointed that so many YouTube films show gramophones being played incorrectly, either the sound box is at the wrong angle or the tonearm on the wrong side of the record, it would be great if a member of CLPGS could make a video for YouTube to show how an acoustic gramophone is used.

Yours sincerely,
Daniel Rees
member 405

Hi,

I bought a 1920's gramophone for a friends wedding. It came with roughly 15 78 records of music from the period but I'd really like a couple of records with my friends favourite music.

I've seen a video where someone (Norman Field) cut some new discs and I've tried to contact him but as yet have not had a reply.

Can you tell me if there is anyone in the Midlands or in the North West who could cut two discs (4 songs) for me for a fee.

The wedding is on the 16th of this month so I'm keen to get an answer as soon as possible.

Thanks,
Christian

Email: [email protected]

I very much enjoyed a visit to your Powick bash yesterday, and shall come next year and go through many more 78's!
The one question I intended to ask was: does anyone know of a source for replacement speaker cloth on the HMV re-entrant cabinet range?
 
Yours in hope​

Rob Lucas

Email: [email protected]

Hi I have the above phonograph but sadly the electric motor is missing.
Can you provide a photo and technical data of said motor?

​Regards Gary Kirk

Dear The City Of London Phonograph & Gramophone Society,

We visited The Musical Museum At Kew Bridge today - and had a fantastic time!

It was a joyful surprise to see a gramophone today - my husband's ancestor Albert Edward Court (who was Chief Of Staff at the London Coliseum in 1905 and who married Ruth/Ruby Thrasher/Jezard in 1900 who performed at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1898 and 1899 had Albert Kingsley the painter and Arthur Henry Brooks as their wedding witnesses.

Arthur Henry Brooks was a recording gramophone pioneer - but was a comedy actor prior to this occupation.
http://www.exacteditions.com/read/gramophone/december-1929-34848/23/2
http://www.recordingpioneers.com/RP_BROOKS1.html#Life

Please do you know anymore about Arthur Henry Brooks.  Thank you.

 We look forward to coming back to museum on 19 March to see your society

Regards,

Lorraine and Peter Courtenay
Orpington, Kent
[email protected]

 

Hi all well my name is Luciano I am 28 years old and from the city of Taquarituba São Paulo Brazil.

I would like to tell you that I have at home 3 gramophones,  one is working perfectly and the other two have yet to have engine repairs to return to a working condition. I also have a collection of about 200  78 rpm discs, come onto my Facebook were you can see some pictures of my appliances,  on YouTube I also put a video called 'Gramophone Odeon 1915' guarantee you will like it, because there are only a few in Brazil who collect these rarities. 


Email - [email protected]

Name: Richard Redgrave
Email: [email protected]

Hello, 

I'm a fairly new recruit to the society, and have a few
basic questions about care of your phonograph. I'm very much a beginner as a
collector and as i have a limited budget, i seem destined to nurse old barn
finds back to life. I recently brought the remains of a standard model a
phonograph, ( it has no feed screw, carriage arm or winding handle, but on
the plus side, had 2/4 minute kit lying in the bottom of the box under the
motor!) The main question i would like to ask is how to treat the case, -
the banner is in tact but the varnish is a bit flakey and i would like to
preserve it. Also, are there any good books you could recommend on looking
after your phonograph? 

Kind regards,
 Richard.