G&T "La voz de su amo" (Spain, Barcelona) MONARCH N°9 - 1903-1904 Gramophone

Spanish Monarch N.9, Barcelona 1903-1904.

The spanish branch of Gramophone & Typewriter was called "Compania Francesa del Gramophone Barcelona". As the name suggest, it was a further branch of the French branch of G&T. The "Compania Francesa" sold gramophones with special cabinets, produced locally, that are completely different from the british usual cabinets sold also in the other countries through their subsidiaries. Generally speaking, these spanish cabinets are more stilish and follow the particular taste of the spanish furniture of these times.

This exemplar mounts the double spring "bevel type" motor of the first series with gear type governor (rather noisy because of the bevel transmission) used till middle 1904, and is one of the first being issued with the tapered arm, introduced in 1903. The arm support is still the early black painted version with gold and blue ornaments coming directly from american Victor machines. Starting from 1904, on european G&T's, with exception of the firsts series of Baby Monarch (practically identical to Victor I) the arm supports will be always nickel-plated.
Also the brake is of the first series of "cannon syle", in two separate pieces, of around 1902-1904.

This gramophone features also a rather uncommon "Witch's Hat" extra size brass horn. The external speed regulator is the only pcs that is not original on this machine, as is not of G&T origin and is later, but I decided to leave it on the gramophone as it works fine and was very cleverly installed.

I discovered this gramophone several years ago in Zaragoza (Spain), in a little antique's shop. I got it after an endless negotiation for the equivalent of about 600 Euro. I couldn't in any case leave it there, I wanted it at all cost. It was in need of a careful restoration but it was complete and original...it is a fairly rare model in this version, and the horn is a very looked after version that was available at an extra cost as optional... it is a huge long size brass "Witch's hat" of the first series, sold from 1902 to 1904, carefully restored by an hystorical brass musical instruments maker.

For further information and vintage audio machines please visit my website www.revoxmania.com