Antique HMV – Typewriter Luxury Junior Monarch Gramophone. France, Circa 1915

Antique His Master's Voice Typewriter Junior Monarch gramophone made in France circa 1915 and in good condition. This beautiful model has a luxury box, made of solid oak wood and carved and milled by hand. The wood stands out for its bright golden color and warm glow. The gramophone was made by The Gramophone and Tyepwriter Company under his brand His Masters Voice, whose original logo (a naked angel playing a record with a feather) was printed in the oval plate embedded in the top. It is currently quite worn but can still be perceived. The company name is also printed in the reproducer, an Exhibition model made by the brand. The elbow which holds the mechanism and connects it to the box is made of black-lacquered metal, with a fine decoration of golden filigrees much to the taste of the time. The finish and the decoration are original and remain in great condition. The chrome-plated metal arm which connects the reproducer and the horn is also finely preserved, just like the impressive witchs hat horn, entirely original. This wonderful antique HMV Typewriter Junior Monarch gramophone is an exclusive piece for its ancient age, amazing aesthetic and good performance. Dimensions: Box: Side: 11.42 in / 29 cm. Height: 5.91 in / 15 cm. Horn: Length: 20.87 in / 53 cm. Mouths Width: 11.42 in / 29 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 Gramophone Company in 1931 to form Electric and Musical Industries Limited (EMI).