Europhon Fonojet 77 – Automatic Portable Record Player – Italian Space Age Design – 1970s - fonojet 77 Record player

EUROPHON FONOJET 77 – Yellow Portable Record Player – Italian Space Age Design – 1970s – Made in Italy

A distinctive and highly decorative example of 1970s Italian consumer electronics, the Europhon Fonojet 77 combines a compact sculptural form, vivid yellow finish and an unusual slot-loading record-playing system.

Rather than using the conventional layout of a domestic turntable, the Fonojet 77 encloses the 7-inch record almost completely inside its body. The record is inserted through the upper slot, creating a compact and playful object that perfectly reflects the experimental spirit of Italian design during the 1970s.

The clean geometric casing, large ribbed loudspeaker grille, contrasting metal carrying handle and strong monochromatic colour give the player an unmistakable Space Age / Pop Design appearance.

The unit can be positioned and used either vertically or horizontally.

VIDEO OF OPERATION

A video showing the actual unit in operation can be viewed at the following link:

https://youtu.be/QgLoMFM-AZQ

The video forms an integral part of the description and shows the actual item offered for sale.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Manufacturer: Europhon
Model: Fonojet 77
Type: Portable amplified slot-loading record player
Country of manufacture: Italy
Period: 1970s
Style: Space Age / Pop Design / Italian Industrial Design
Record format: 7-inch records
Playing speed: 45 rpm
Built-in loudspeaker
Adjustable volume
Power supply: mains electricity or batteries
Suitable for vertical or horizontal use
Colour: Yellow

Approximate dimensions:

Width: 28 cm
Depth: 25 cm
Height: 10 cm

Approximate weight:

760 g without batteries

MECHANICAL SYSTEM

The Fonojet 77 uses an unusual indirect-drive arrangement.

The small electric motor acts upon an elastomeric rubber ring positioned underneath the platter. This is a compact and ingenious mechanical solution designed specifically for this type of portable record player.

It should not be confused with the conventional long-belt drive system commonly found in domestic turntables.

BATTERY OPERATION

The player can operate from both mains electricity and batteries.

When using the unit with batteries, the mains plug must be inserted into its dedicated storage socket inside the battery compartment, as part of the original operating configuration of the appliance.

Batteries are not included in the sale.

CONDITION AND TESTING

The record player has been carefully cleaned and tested.

At the time of listing, the following functions were checked:

- 45 rpm playback
- Built-in loudspeaker
- Volume adjustment
- Mains operation
- Battery operation

The player is functional as shown in the video.

The volume control can occasionally be slightly sensitive or temperamental, as can occur with original vintage electronics of this age. It is advisable to adjust the volume gradually.

The item is offered in vintage condition with normal traces of age and use.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTE

There is a crack on the side corner of the lower casing/base.

This imperfection is clearly visible in the photographs and must be considered part of the overall condition of the item.

Please carefully inspect all photographs before bidding.

Despite this cosmetic defect, the Fonojet retains a very attractive overall appearance, its original yellow colour and its characteristic 1970s design.

The photographs are part of the description and show the actual condition of the item.

ABOUT EUROPHON

Europhon was an Italian consumer-electronics manufacturer founded in Milan in 1949 by the Zenesini family.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the company became particularly well known for radios, televisions, portable record players and the colourful slot-loading record players commonly known in Italy as “mangiadischi”.

Europhon products from this period are particularly interesting today because they combine everyday consumer electronics with the expressive visual language of post-war Italian industrial design.

Bright colours, moulded-plastic bodies, compact forms and unconventional mechanical solutions were typical characteristics of this period.

The Fonojet 77 is a particularly representative example of this approach, combining a record player, amplifier and loudspeaker within a remarkably compact enclosure.

Today, models of this type are increasingly appreciated not only as vintage audio equipment but also as decorative design objects representing the colourful domestic culture of the 1970s.

No reliable documentary source has been found attributing the Fonojet 77 to a specific named designer. It is therefore described as an original Europhon industrial design without speculative attribution.

PLEASE NOTE

The 7-inch record shown in the photographs and/or video is used exclusively for demonstration purposes and is NOT included in the sale.

Batteries are NOT included.

This is an original electro-mechanical appliance approximately fifty years old.

Although the unit has been tested and functions as described and shown in the video, vintage electronic equipment may naturally require future maintenance, adjustment or servicing.

Components such as electrical contacts, potentiometers, capacitors, motor parts and rubber elements are original vintage components and may naturally show the effects of age.

Minor background noise, slight speed variation or sensitivity of controls may occur and should be considered consistent with the age and original technology of the appliance.

The item has been described accurately and in good faith.

All functions specifically mentioned in this description were tested at the time of listing and will be checked again before shipment.

The photographs and video form an integral part of the description.

Minor differences in colour may occur due to lighting conditions, photography and individual screen settings.

PACKAGING AND SHIPPING

The item will be carefully and securely packed using suitable protective materials.

Double boxing will be used where appropriate in order to provide additional protection during transport.

Shipping will be tracked.

Before packing, a final functional and cosmetic check will be carried out and documented.

The item will be handed over to the carrier in the same condition as documented immediately before shipment.

The buyer is responsible for providing a correct and complete shipping address and for collecting the parcel within the timeframe specified by the carrier.

In the event of non-collection, refusal of delivery or an incorrect/incomplete address, the applicable Catawiki procedures and conditions will apply.

By placing a bid, the buyer confirms that they have carefully read the complete description and reviewed all photographs and the video showing the actual item.