His Masters Voice - HMV 101 78 rpm gramophone player

Auctioned is an important and complete portable gramophone His Master’s Voice (HMV), model 101, accompanied by 19 original 78 rpm discs, including a rare Fonotipia record with an autograph engraved by the famous tenor Giuseppe Anselmi, and two antique record albums, all preserved in original condition with the gramophone perfectly functioning.

The HMV 101 is considered one of the most iconic portable gramophones ever made by The Gramophone Company Ltd. of Hayes (Middlesex, England). It was produced between 1925 and 1931 and represents one of the models most sought after by collectors for its build quality, the reliability of its mechanism, and the excellent acoustic rendering.

The specimen offered belongs to the version with a side crank, a feature of later productions after the first models, and can be reasonably dated to between 1927 and 1930.

The sturdy case is made of wood veneered in black embossed material, with metal corner reinforcements, original handle and front latch. Inside it preserves the original wooden base with a brown felt-covered turntable and an integrated acoustic horn in the structure.

On the inside of the lid is still present the famous His Master’s Voice mark, depicting the dog Nipper listening to the gramophone, one of the most iconic images in the history of sound recording.

Original HMV No. 4 tonearm
The gramophone retains its own original acoustic cartridge "His Master’s Voice No. 4", built by the Gramophone Company of Hayes, Middlesex.
This soundbox is considered one of the best produced by HMV for portable gramophones of the era and guarantees excellent sound quality thanks to the membrane quality and mechanical construction.

Also included:
- Original chrome-plated acoustic arm;
- Speed regulator (Slow/Fast);
- Platter brake;
- Original arm support;
- Original crank with bakelite handle;
- Needle cassette;
- Numerous original steel needles still stored in their proper compartment.

Operation
The gramophone is fully functional.
It was tested before the sale and the original mechanism shows excellent efficiency:
the crank fully winds the spring;
the motor maintains tension regularly;
the platter turns smoothly and steadily;
all main controls are operative.
Thus it is not only a collectible object but also a gramophone still perfectly usable for listening to 78 rpm records.

The lot also includes a rare original Fonotipia record engraved by the celebrated tenor Giuseppe Anselmi (1876-1929), one of the great voices of Italian opera from the early 20th century. The disc bears the autograph handwritten on the record support, a feature of particular historical and collectible interest. It shows a chip on the edge, visible in the photographs, probably due to a fall during its long history. The damaged part affects only the outer edge and today represents, above all, a precious historical testimony perfectly coherent with an object over a century old.

Completing the lot are 18 other 78 rpm discs (25 cm):
- 8 La Voce del Padrone discs (Gramophone Disc)
- 6 Odeon discs
- 2 Columbia discs
- 1 Società Italiana di Fonotipia disc
- 1 Pathé disc

The discs include recordings of lyrical music, Verdi and Puccini operas, orchestral music, waltzes, foxtrots, folk music and Italian singing from the early decades of the 20th century.
Among the interpreters are important artists of the era, including Amelita Galli-Curci, Aroldo Lindi, Salvatore Pollicino and other famous performers of the lyric repertoire.

Two original album folders
The discs are kept in two elegant original antique album folders, covered in fabric with Art Deco floral motifs.
The albums retain the original inner pockets with circular windows for label identification and are a scarce accessory to find together with portable gramophones.

Conditions
The gramophone is in good conservative condition, preserving all its authenticity.
Normal signs of age are present as expected for a device about a century old: light signs of use on the case, slight oxidation of exterior metal parts, wear to the handle and small superficial marks on the covering.
The discs show the usual signs from use and age. In the lot only complete or otherwise suitable discs for preservation and playback were included, excluding those severely chipped.

Weight
Gramophone: about 7 kg
Two complete disc albums: about 5.5 kg
Total lot weight: about 12.5 kg

This lot represents an interesting testimony to the early 20th century phonography history and brings together one of the most appreciated HMV portable gramophones by collectors with a selection of original discs and their vintage albums, offering a complete, coherent and remarkably charming historical and aesthetic package.