A Russian Gramophone
Written by: Joan Lehman

A Russian Victor Monarch Special, era 1902-1905

Although little is known about this particular English Victor machine (HMV), sold in Russia, it is fun to view the pictures, and hopefully to add more information. This is an interesting phonograph, with the Russian tag and the neat Nipper Logo!

This Victor MS phonograph is American-made, in its European incarnation, shipped through Victor's German cousin to Russia. French Victors were shipped to France through Great Britain.

The MS was sold in Europe under a varying number of model designations.

The plate with the Angel and the "V" behind her, is representative of the English Victor.

It was commonly equipped with a nickel-plated or plain brass horn. (This soundbox is incorrect, and is of a considerably later date than the machine.)

The earlier front-mount Victor MS (Monarch Special), used a "Concert" sound box, while the tapering tone arm machines came with either the "Concert" or
the "Exhibition" sound box.

The quartersawed oak cabinet was fancier and taller than the standard Monarch, and was equipped with a powerful three-spring motor. These differences accounted for the $10.00 price differential between the two machines, for the US Victor company sold the Monarchs for $35.00-$40.00.

Reference;

"Look For The Dog" by Robert W. Baumbach