Marconiphone 702 coming to auction

[ppppenguin]

The set will be viewable by anyone who wishes to come and see it on the Bonhams viewing days. I will also be seeing it shortly, with a view to it being demonstrated on both 240 and 405. While I cannot say that I know what an original unmodified set should look like I will try to investigate what has happened.

[murphymad]

I 'can' say what the original switch should be, having researched this point carefully.
The switch on this 702 is definately not original, and would probably date from a late 1960's or 1970's manufacture.

You are quite right about the clear markings that this set had the blanking plate fitted at some time and this has been removed.

The original switch has eight connections forming four seperate switches. Only one is connected to chassis which means there are seven wires running into the synch chassis and one connected to an earth tag on the switch bracket.

The switch is of anodised brass appearance and not bright silver.
It is also mounted on a bracket fixed to the sync chassis and not held by a collar up on the bakelite control panel.

On the set I restored, the 240 position was nearest the front of the set and the 405 towards the back.

Very interesting....

I wonder if when the MH4 valve is inserted it will operate on 240?

Mike...

[radiolot]

Hi chaps,

A few good questions here - I think everyone wants to see it in person, which is probably the best way of looking carefully at each section of the set. To those who do come to the view and sale, please bring your cameras and snap as many as you like. Also, bring your AVO7s and so-forth. We will have it sitting on a small but tidy warehouse skate, so turning it around is not going to be a problem.

Yes, well done for spotting the transm' date problem - this is now changed in the printed catalogue to 'three weeks after'. Jim is working on the online-version to correct that (too many jogs on the Brighton-line when I write the catalogue!)
Apart from the crossbanding, the veneers are flame mahogany - abet the very cheap stuff which looks like rosewood. The inlaid and crossbanded designs are lighter cuts, but I certainly agree that it looks more like rosewood. I got the furniture department to second the wood type - just in case (oh dear, what a bad pun that was)

Mike - very interesting to see what you have come up with for the 240/405 switch. The 'ghost' circle which someone noted earlier seems to be the moulding reinforcement pattern from underneath, however having either function legends the other way around is puzzling - the date given as 1960s is really odd - who'd care about 240 in the 60s? We really need to see the other side of that switch - I think a long dentist's mirror and a torch might do the trick with that.

Jeffrey, when you do come, please remember to bring the valve - if that switch does work (and I have to say, I am still optomistic about it), we shall need it - remember, the Domino is still working its way to me, but won't be here in time for your visit.

I am going to be scanning all the old paperwork that goes with this set on a high-res new computer-thingy we have here. When that's done tomorrow, I will add so it can be viewed on the website version of the catalogue (that includes the Gerry Wells stamped papers from 5th May 1946).

The plot with this set continues - among the paperwork with the set, there was an old wrap of photographs taken by the late owner (Roy Flitter), of a 702. The pictures show a really battered cabinet, but very complete chassis (all wax caps). Looks like it was taken in the 1980s. I assumed it was this tv, but using a high-powered magnifying glass, the serial number on the plaque says H1112 - not this set, which is H1007. If someone out there has H1112, I have a set of 'before' pictures to give you.

I am at the end of the phone if you have any questions/want an excuse to get away from the missus - 0207 393 3984

[ppppenguin]

Originally Posted by radiolot

Jeffrey, when you do come, please remember to bring the valve - if that switch does work (and I have to say, I am still optomistic about it), we shall need it - remember, the Domino is still working its way to me, but won't be here in time for your visit.

Sorry, I don't have an MH4 valve.

I will bring both the WC-01 and SCRF Aurorae so we can run at 240 and 405. You are welcome to borrow either of them for use on the viewing days if the Domino isn't back by then. If the 240 trials are successful then you can certainly borrow the WC-01 for the viewing days.

[brianc]

I have an MH4 which tests "excellent" on my AVO MklV. I hope I can make it to the viewing but just in case, I could send it to you (either Jeffrey or Lawrence) so it can be installed. To whom shall I send it?

PS the 703 is working fantastically Lawrence!

[KEITHW]

Hi Laurence,

Attached are the sales brochure particulars (in part) for the Marconiphone 702, on which I have highlighted the cabinet veneer details.

Pre-war, virtually all Marconiphone and H.M.V. radio, radiogram and television cabinets were veneered in walnut. Painted and even mirrored finishes were offered at an extra cost, but I have not seen mahogany mentioned as an alternative.

Unless you have uncovered a particularly rare 'special' which has been finished in mahogany (or possibly reveneered at a later date in mahogany), my money is on the finish being walnut. It certainly looks like walnut to me without any doubt. As Brian says, flame mahogany is far less defined and random in its patterning.

Walking around antique fairs and auction rooms, it amazes me how many pieces of furniture veneered in walnut are described as mahogany! Especially in the 1930's, walnut was very much the vogue and mahogany was out of fashion.

Best wishes,
Keith

[radiolot]

Many thanks Brian - I would love to give your valve a try. Please send to:

Laurence Fisher
Bonhams,
Montpelier Street,
Knightsbridge,
London SW7 1HH

I'll keep it nice and safe for your collection/send back to you after its trial. My fingers are crossed it does do something.
Don't worry Jeffrey, we'll plug in your 240 box and see what happens - the chances are if it does try to work on 240, we should see a some sort of change on the screen when the switch is flipped over.

I intend to sort out mahogany v rosewood contest tomorrow when I'm there. Rosewood was indeed the more-used jacket for cabinets that's for sure. The only reason I am hesitating is our furniture specialist is 6'8" and has been doing this game longer than I have! We all make mistakes, but it would be nice to addendum this correctly if required.

A lot of people have contacted me about the estimate being £3000-5000. The main comment being that this estimate is low and there must be a reason. When I collected this set from Roy's old flat, it had to be got out of there in a hurry, due to it being rented. The family don't want to see this set back and therefore I placed a figure which pretty-much spelt out its change of ownership from the start. The annoying thing is, I have the money and the space, but with a 14-month old daughter crawling around, my house has changed from being a valve haven to a toy shop. The money is therefore going on other more pressing things like a new central heating system and rattles.

Even if the switch turns out to be a very cleaver mock-up and it fails to run on 240, the set with its paperwork should work out to still be a very good buy if sold within the estimate.

Don't forget if anyone comes on the first viewing day (Sunday 17th from 11am-3pm), there will be a glass of wine at the reception and a parking space waiting for you.

cheers
Laurence

[radiolot]

240/405-line switch update news...

The instruction manual, which I am just about to scan the front cover of for the online catalogue, clearly states on page 4 that (quote):

With the System Selector Switch towards the operator the receiver is adjusted for Marconi-E.M.I. Television, and with the switch away from the operator for the Baird System.

Further back on the thread, it was noted that on another tv, the switch had 240/405 the other way around - so this shows that they made switches with the functions either way.
All I need now is to see the underside of that switch and we have final lift-off.

I must put this instruction manual down and do some work - it is simply too wonderful not to read!

Laurence

[ppppenguin]

On my 702 M-EMI is switch away from user. Yet another difference for Peter Scott to collate.

[radiolot]

Highlights of the paperwork with this set are now uploaded on the Bonhams online version of the catalogue.
Please click into the lot, scroll down to the large thumbnails, click on your choice and it will load up into the flash-viewer window for you to zoom into.

Laurence

[brianc]

The MH4 is on its way to you Laurence. It was posted 1st class this afternoon.

As to the cabinet veneer, rosewood was not used very much except for either panels or crossbanding, Murphy being one of the users. Figured walnut however, was used by almost every manufacturer of the time as it was very popular in the '30s for normal furniture as well - rosewood was too expensive, I think.

[radiolot]

Thanks for the use of this valve Brian.

Footnote with transm' fault corrected and revised online - we's-a getting there.

Although I am now pretty sure this is walnut which looks quite close to the 'Victorian cut' of flame mahogany, I will double-check tomorrow. I want to make sure revisions are done once correctly and not again and again and also make doubly sure this is not mahogany - you never know, it could be an odd-one-out which scuttled out of the factory.
Having written over 17,000 words for the catalogue, I am expecting a few more mistakes - but hopefully not as bad as those idiots in West Norwood who think a wooden AD65 is the real thing!

Hands up who likes the CRT glow picture on the site...

[peter_scott]

Hi Laurence,

I wonder if it would be possible for you to reproduce the internal pages of the Marconiphone "Operating Instructions for Television Receiver"?

Regards,

Peter

[radiolot]

Switch update:

Dispite my optimism (slight, but it was there), the switch as Mike worked out is not only later. but is not wired into the set.
Jeffrey has just left the warehouse and will wax-lyr' into details when he gets back home, however I took the plate off carefully and the wires were long gone. The switch at present is a 2pole 2way, so completely wrong to begin with. However, what it does do is complete the 'window-dressing' of the set so it looks like it works. I suppose it gets the second prize with this presentation.
Looking at the 240/405 inscription, it has been factory-written, which ties in perfectly with the instruction manual.

Confession time, but there has been something i have been keeping you all from - in the manual, the selection positions have been revised, but at the time the set was made. By typing the other way around instructions when they probably saw it was wired incorrectly. Instead of correcting the wiring, they corrected the instructions.
I will scan - as you asked Peter - the full instruction manual and place online when I am back in my office on Monday.
I will be doing in a moment, an upload of a close up of the wire-side of the switch.

Over to Jeffrey in a moment - but to recap, we know that the instruction manual goes with this actual set.

Aur' converter testcard looking great on the screen today. Telly now resting under its soft blanket.

Cheers
Laurence

[radiolot]

Forgot to mention the wood veneers:

Yes, it is mostly figured walnut, in standard quarter-cut fashion. However there is mahogany as a strip behind the piano hinge on the lid and also to sides and crossbanding to front. As per cabinet specs on cabinet making, so not a non-standard showpiece.

[ppppenguin]

This is a most interesting set. I had a close look at it this morning and we took out the escutcheon with the system switch for closer examination. The switch itself is not original and is not connected. There is also a clear outline of where the blanking plate was fitted. It is possible that the blanking plate is in the boxes of bits that are with the set.

It is clear that at some point the original 405/50 and 240/25 were ground out and new ones engraved. The 2 from 240 is easily visible and part of the 5 from 25 can be seen. I suggested a theory that the set had been made with the switch the wrong way round and rather than dismantle the set to rectify the problem the escutcheon was simply re-engraved. It was only after this that Laurence told me that the user manual for the set has a typewritten note pasted over the original instructions for the system switch. QED. There may be other sets like this.

The CRT is one of the brightest prewar EMI 12" ones I have seen. I would dearly love to have such a good CRT in my own set. From fallible memory it's brighter than the one in Russell's set too.

Another anomaly is the single mains switch. My set has 2 switches, one for mains, the other for vision though the latter is not connected on my set (s/n H1132). There is no evidence that a 2nd switch was ever fitted to the set at Bonhams.

The EHT smooting cap has been replaced by a more modern component. the old part is in the box of bits. Also in the box of bits are a couple of rather impressive looking ESU101 mercury vapour rectifiers. http://www.shinjo.info/frank/sheets/147/e/ESU101.pdf plus an alternative EHT transformer. A KitKat tin contains a VHF modulator with PSU, looks like the David Looser design.

The set is generally working but could do with a general electronic overhaul. Several controls are right up one end, focus is on its endstop and still not too good. Overall, a lovely set.

Look forward to seeing you at the Sunday viewing.

[peter_scott]

Hi Geoffrey,

My set also has only one mains switch, namely the toggle switch in the equivalent position on the right hand side of the display matching the 405/240 switch if it had one.

I've only seen one set with a second switch in the form of a surface mounted "light" switch on the rear panel (top left), but I assumed this was not a factory supplied fitment.

Where is your second mains switch located?

Peter

[Heatercathodeshort]

A couple of scans from the December 1936 edition of Television and Short Wave World. J.

[ppppenguin]

Here's a photo of the main and vision switches on my 702. I think it also needs dusting

PS: If anyone happens to have a spare "Contrast" knob for a prewar EMI set I would love to buy it from you. My set has a correctly shaped knob but it's engraved only with a dot. Just out of shot on this photo.

[Dave Moll]

What does the vision switch actually do? Remove HT while keeping valve heaters on as a sort of "standby"?

Originally Posted by ppppenguin

I think it also needs dusting

The trouble is that that wastes good restoration time.