Historical information

These gramophone needles were manufactured by The Gramophone Company Limited for use in gramophones that had an arm in which to insert a needle to play an old shellac record. The Gramophone Company was an early recording company based in the United Kingdom and was the parent organization for the His Master’s Voice label of recording devices. The company was founded in 1897 and merged in 1931 with another company to form E.M.I. (Electric and Musical Industries) but the name The Gramophone Company continued in Britain until the 1970s. Gramophones were a popular household item from the late 19th century until the mid 20th century when more sophisticated recording and playing devices were invented.

Significance

These gramophone needles is of some interest as an example of entertainment devices of the past. It will be useful for display.

Physical description

.1This is a metal box with a lid containing an image of a dog and a phonograph (‘His Master’s Voice’) painted in white and brown on a dark blue background. Inside the tin are about 150 metal gramophone needles, most of them being a little rusted. The needles are covered with a sheet of brown paper with yellow printing. The tin itself is rusted and the printing is discoloured. There is a paper sticker on the back of the box with an early catalogue number (almost obliterated).
.2 Small rectangular plastic container with picture of white polar bear with blue background. It contains approximately 30 needles which have red ends and silver points.
.3 small plastic bag with a number of needles.

Inscriptions & markings

.1 Front of box: ‘His Master’s Voice, Extra Loud Tone’
Back of box: Approximately 200 English gramophone needles manufactured by The Gramophone Company Limited, Sydney, Australia’.
Inside: ‘Use each point once only’ (printed twice).
.2 50 semi- permanent needles on front of box. On bottom Made in Germany.