[knightley]

Here's another HMV Soundbox from the 30s.

The first 102 portables came with the No.16 soundbox, on which the front was swaged onto the back, so it cannot be easily repaired. HMV soon replaced this with the 5B.

Early 102s also had a pressed steel motorboard with a lithographed woodgrain pattern. The case was slightly lower (about 5mm) than the later ones with plywood motorboards which were leatherette faced for coloured cases or varnished for black cases. The steel motorboard models are much rarer than the plywood ones, but most people don't recognize the difference, so you could find a bargain. Remember leatherette or varnish = plywood and printed woodgrain = steel.

The most sought after 102s are the red leather covered ones with the gilt fittings.