Phonoland

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone can help?

I found this gramophone in my parents attic, we know it was bought by my great aunt in London (not sure of the year) it has been in various attics for decades. We have cleaned it up and managed to get it to work and are keen to learn more about it.

I have spent a few hours now trying to find out more but I can't find this model anywhere! If anyone can give more more info on this I would be very grateful!

Many thanks in advance!

Tilly

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That's a VERY nice example of the HMV 99 gramophone, produced between 1931-1933 by the Gramophone Company, LTD. The model is described, starting on page 76, in "The Perfect Portable" by Dave Cooper--unfortunately, now out of print.

The HMV 99 was a budget portable designed for those for whom the HMV 102 was too expensive. The original selling price was £3, 5S, which was still a considerable sum in the early 1930s. According to the information at -- http://inflation.stephenmorley.org/ -- £3 in 1931 would have the purchasing power of £176.70 in 2016.

You have to be careful cleaning the interior since colored paper, instead of leather-cloth, was used for the inside of the lid. I'm glad to see you have the record storage folder. These are often missing today.

While these do not have the same range and powerful tone of an HMV 102, they still pump out a remarkable sound. Here's a video of the HMV 99 in action -- Playing a circa mid-1950s record -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aZ1E1iOnpI (Really, not the type of record to play on a gramophone of this vintage. Still, it does reasonably well.)

If you google "HMV 99" gramophone, you'll see a few more photos, videos, etc.

HTH,
Joe

Thank you so much for all the info I have been searching the Web for hours looking for it!

Very much appreciated my family are very please to know it's origin etc!