Small Colibri Pocket Gramophone. Belgium, 1930's.

Beautiful Colibri Pocket Gramophone manufactured in Belgium during the 30's. Although it has reduced dimensions, we can find in this model all the necessary parts to achieve a perfect reproduction of a melody. The travel gramophones are characterized for being of reduced size, but using the same parts and with a mechanics similar to the conventional gramophone. Its parts are perfectly studied to be able to lodge them in the small suitcase with handle of black color that accompanies it. Closed it is only a small suitcase, but when it is opened, and the different parts are assembled, a real gramophone is created with which to enjoy an incredible melody. This model presents a horizontal structure that gathers a small support where to place the disc, and a detachable arm to be able to guard it. The discs, the same as for a normal model, are placed on top of the device protruding from its contour. It has the brand engraved on one of the inner parts: COLIBRÍ and the serial number: 5542. It is a genuine piece, completely original and in good working order. It attaches a record and needles to enjoy its sound from the first day.One of the challenges of the phonograph industry was to create small portable machines that offered, in a small size, an acceptable sound quality. Surprising models were created for this purpose, looking for a system of parts that allowed their folding and assembly with a certain ease, trying to transport them in a compact package and as small as possible. The Colibri boasted of being the smallest gramophone in the world. Although it must be taken into account that there were other models of these reduced dimensions during those years. They began to be manufactured between 1928 and 1939 by the Compagnie du Phonographe Colibri of Brussels, although with Swiss engines. Its design is superbly resolved and its appearance is very solid, since all the parts are metal. The horn is housed in the lid itself which, when the arm is placed in the playing position, creates the necessary cavity by means of springs that position the mechanism, almost automatically. In spite of the fact that the platter is only 8 cm in diameter, the Colibri is capable of playing 25 cm records in the same way as a conventional gramophone.Magnificent piece of reduced dimensions at the height of a great model.Measures: 24,5 x 43 cms (closed).