HMV Gramophone Mod. 102, 1930

This fine antique gramophone is a suitcase model made by La Voix de Son Maitre, the French branch of the British label His Masters Voice, in 1903. The gramophone is the Model 102, a beautiful and easy-to-carry design that has survived to our days in amazing condition. The motor has been fully overhauled so currently the device sounds great and makes it possible to play antique records. The suitcase is also quite well preserved; the black-leather covering is complete and with no visible worn parts. The lock and the key are the original ones and remain in working order. Inside the suitcase, the turntable and the knobs designed to manipulate the gramophone stand on a satin-finished wooden plank that hides the motor. All the silvery-metal component parts and pieces are original and remain in wonderful condition: the metal looks shiny, even and with no traces of rust. Inside the cover there is a flexible leather piece designed to store the records; printed on it we can see the famous brand logo depicting a dog which listens to a horn gramophone. Together with the logo there are two inscriptions in golden lettering: the trade mark LA VOIX DE SON MAITRE and the French manufacturing companys name: CIE. FSE. DU GRAMOPHONE. All the lovers of antique gramophones will appreciate the qualities of this amazing suitcase model, a high-quality and beautiful item. Measurements: Width: 11 cm / 28 cm. Height: 6.2 in / 16 cm. Depth: 16.1 in / 41 cm.History of His Masters Voice Inside the cover we find the famous brand logo with the inscription HIS MASTERS VOICE clearly printed in golden lettering. The brand was created in 1899 from a picture by Francis Barraud depicting the dog Nipper listening to his dead owners voice coming from a phonograph. The Gramophone Company bought the picture, but before they told Barraud to change the phonograph for a gramophone of their own. The rest is history: the image became worldly famous and the firm eventually changed its company name for the brand name. The Gramophone Company, based in the United Kingdom, was one of the early recording companies. The company was merged with the Columbia Graphophone Company in 1931 to form Electric and Musical Industries Limited (EMI), the company title as "The Gramophone Company Limited".