The Gramophone Company Ltd - models unique to Australia and New Zealand

This is a work in progress. 



The Gramophone Company Ltd (HMV) - machines unique to Australia and New Zealand.

Here is a brief history about the gramophones exported / made by The Gramophone Co Ltd (HMV) for the Australian and New Zealand market.

A HMV catalogue from 1923 lists the following models that were certainly marketed for Australia and New Zealand. You will not find most of these models (as they are named at least) in any book (that I’m aware of) – not even the bible that is 'His Masters Gramophone.'

While the catalogue stats that they are ‘British made throughout’ I wonder whether some or all were made or assembled locally? Or did they simply ‘dump’ obsolete models on our market and re-badged!

While some models look identical to those made in Britain such as the School model and the first HMV portable model. Those that don't have a metal plaque attached which shows the ‘local’ model name – e.g. Austral, Excello, Melba, Bungalow etc. British models do not have this plaque.

The earliest advertising I can find for these locally named models is August 1911 where we see Austral, Excello, Zealand, Melba, Brunswick, Marlborough and Queen Anne listed. We also see more familiar models like Monarch Junior, Monarch Senior and Library Grand.

By December 1916 we see new 'improved' versions of Austral, Excello, Zealand and Tasman. The Library Grand also appears (first time tbc).

Lets expand on the models a bit more here. Firstly those that have the metal name plaque:

Austral - a lidless table model commonly refereed to as 'hornless'. 

The Austral was named possibly named after Australia or was it Florence Austral the Australian operatic soprano? The Austral appears in three iterations: Austral (advertised - Aug 1911 - Oct 1913 ), Austral No. 2 (advertised Nov 1913 - August 1916 ) and Austral No. 3 (advertised Oct 1916 - 1923 ).


As above we first see the Austral advertised in August 1911 and last appears in October 1913. The photo below clearly shows the additional metal plaque that appears on the local models. More research is required before I can determine which Great Britain model this "Model Austral" is.

Austral No. 2 appears in November 1913 and looks to be a re-badge of the early version of HMV Model 3 (prior to motor change 15/16) that was available in oak from September 1913. The Austral No. 2  appears in advertising until August 1916. 

Advertised in The Bulletin November 1913

While Austral No. 3 appears in advertising as early as January 1916 (improved 1916 model) we do not see any images nor information other than price (11 pounds). By August 1916 we see the model is available in oak. While not specifically named the No.3 in the advert below I have seen averts only a month later that do. 

Austral No.3 in oak - Aug 1916 

As per the Austral No. 2 this model was still the HMV Model 3 but was re-badged possibly to align with the new motor (with fine teeth) that occurred in the HMV Model 3 around 1915-16. As per the Model 3 the mahogany version appears in 1916 (October).

Here we have some images of an Austral No. 3 in Oak

Here is another Austral No. 3 in mahogany. 

Bungalow – 

Early version in oak and mahogany

The New Improved Bungalow Model

Dardnel - 


Excello lidless table model – hornless (1911-1923)

The Excello appears in August 1911 and Excello No.3 in 1916. There is no record of there being an Excello No. 2. The Excello is advertised until at least 1923. The Excello was the smallest and cheapest of the hornless table models in 1911 at 5 pounds.

The Excello looks to have come out in two versions prior to the Excello No. 3 with changes to the decal, tonearm and motor tbc. It is unclear why the use of Excello No. 2 was overlooked to capture the changes, as was common to other local models (eg Austral above).

The Excello appears to be a re-badge of the HMV Model I (1) later version (larger plinth) which appeared in  March 1915............if so there should be examples of Excello's that have the smaller plinth from 1911?

I am going to assume that the first Excello used the more basic tonearm - internal pivot which was replaced by the top pivot with pressed steel cowl.

Below are images of the early Excello which I will refer to as version 1

Nipper on red base (1st version)

Note this one has the incorrect No.4 sound box

Here are images of the Excello (version 2). As per version 1 - this appears to also be a re-badge of the later and larger version of HMV Model I / 1 / 52 which appeared in  March 1915.

Circular trademark used from 1911

Excello No. 3 Dec 1916 (improved 1916 model)

Gramola - 

Gramola No.1

Gramola No 2 - 

Gramola No 3 – 

Jenolan – no photos

Library Grand  – 

Mahogany Library Grand - 

Melba – 

Queen Anne - 

Studio Grand  – 

Studio Grand available  in Oak and Mahogany - 

Studio Grand (New and Improved) -

The Tasman –

Oak Tasman

Oak Tasman No.2

Mahogany Tasman

Zealand - appears in 1911.

Zealand -

Zealand No.2 - appears in 1914 possibly earlier

Zealand No.3 - appears in late 1915

Model 157 (Aus version) - It has the same horn (dual chamber) and soundbox 5a as the 157. It has a different fret / grille, detailing on the doors and cabinet front. Not all have the auto stop /start option as per the 157 however maybe this was an option for addition cost. I believe that these were marketed through W H Palings and Co stores.

School model - may be the same as the British School model G.F.B.O (1921)

Portable model - may be the same as the British portable PAO (1920)?

Monarch Senior External horn – no photos (any connection British HMV monarch)

Monarch External horn – no photos (any connection British HMV monarch)

Intermediate External horn – 

I have also seen reference to a model 1020? Low cabinet model?