I have always been interested in smaller gramophones and have had the opportunity to try out most of the ones you might find in the UK. The attraction is in the ingenuity of design that manufacturers have adopted and the way that the components are stored and then built up into working machines. Most miniatures can be made to play but the performance is usually poor. The one exception is the “Excelda” which has a good motor and sound-box and can play really very well.

Made by the Swiss firm Thorens, the gramophone uses the metal case itself as the amplifying horn and a 10″ record can be played when bolted down onto a 6cm turntable using the thumb-screw that also secures the lid. This example is unusual with a red mottled case.

The gramophone comes with 100 needles and a selection of six 78s if required.

Price, including postage £240.00