eBay

EXQUISITE PORTABLE RAF BLUE HMV Mod. 102 PICNIC GRAMOPHONE c1933/39

With 78rpm records, a record holder & plenty of spare needles!

This is an exquisite working example of an HMV Model 102, portable wind-up gramophone and, judging by its immaculate condition, I should imagine it spent all of its life being greatly loved as there is barely a mark on it and all the numerous chrome-plated parts are immaculate. Someone obviously loved it! Please see Photos.

The 102 model first appeared in 1933 with this particular one being a later model having the 5A, advanced sound box. The tone arm is chrome plated, and I have never seen better, with its gleaming appearance setting off the entire gramophone to its best advantage. Most importantly, the sound reproduction is superb, as befitting its condition, due, almost certainly, to the exceptional length of the internal horn and the sound box which has cotton wool surrounding the inside of the front cage that prevents there being any distortion of the sound reproduced. It really has to be heard to be believed. I acquired this gorgeous machine some 3 months ago, and couldn't bear to part with it, and have been playing it continuously ever since!

It has auto start/stop that is working perfectly. To play a record all you have to do is move the sound box to the start position of the record and the turntable will automatically start rotating and at the conclusion of the record it will switch itself off automatically. It never doesn't!

There is a speed regulator at the front left of the turntable, also immaculately chromed and fully working, marked as Fast>78>Slow.

The turntable is of blue felt without the smallest sign of wear or mis-use. It is securely fitted to the central rotating spindle by its original sir-clip. The chromium plated perimeter, of the turntable, is as pristine as the rest of the gramophone. (Sorry to be a bit gushy over the condition but if you are the lucky one to win it you will certainly see why!)

On removing the turntable, to look at the working parts, it can be seen that it has been exceptionally well maintained with everything in beautiful working order. Again please have a good look at my Photos.

The internal woodwork is as good as new and, even more surprisingly, there isn’t a single screw missing!

It comes with an HMV record holder that sits in place on the turntable and enables you to take up to ten or a dozen records with you on your picnic or out in the garden. You may have the ten records that I have included - I hope they survive the journey - they usually are OK but have lost one or two over the years! Bye the way, if you do not want these free records please let me know as it will reduce the cost of the carriage by courier as they are not collectively light! I have also included 3 packets of ten long lasting needles where each needle will play up to 60 sides. I have been using them consistently over the recent months and I can certainly verify their claim of around 60 sides per needle which means, of course, that each packet of ten needles should play about 600 sides and with three packets you should be OK for 1,800 sides! The information regarding these special needles is printed on the inside flap of the packet.

A very good, yet simple touch on this model, is that the winding-up handle is so designed to be instantly detachable (with no thread) and can be rotated without knocking your knuckles on a table on which it may be placed!!

On the inside of the lid is the HMV Logo with ‘Nipper’ the Dog and there is a one-hand lid ‘stay’ on the left hand side which is working fine - to close the lid just apply a small bit of pressure behind the 'stay' and it will close. There is a lock on the front with a clip - be sure to close the clip properly each time you are transporting records in the holder. Regrettably no key though.

The exterior is covered with a waterproof cloth ideal for when it may rain when out on a picnic! There is barely a mark on it with no rips, tears or lifting – just a couple of scuff marks on the front edge.

The black leather carrying handle is perfectly sound and in good condition. The gramophone’s dimensions are approximately: 11¼ inches (28.5cm) x 16 inches (40.5cm) x 6 inches (15.5cm). It’s gorgeous!

Well, I think I have finally run out of superlatives – I don’t think I have ever been so impressed. Hope I haven’t bored you!!

Please have a good look at my photos below. Thank You!

As it weighs about 10kg before packaging, of which 3½kg are 78rpm records, I shall have to ship this both abroad and domestically by Courier so, if you are resident outside of the UK I have listed here some Courier quotes, including insurance, for a number of countries (if your country is not included please contact me for a quote BEFORE bidding. UK (mainland)..£21.46, Australia & Japan..£98.18, USA & Canada..£67.20, Germany & S. Ireland..£31.12, Italy & Spain..£31.22 and the Netherlands..£28.90.