Gramophone [La Gloria]
Maker and role
La Gloria Gramophones Limited, Manufacturer
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Object detail
Accession number
1982.232
Production period
Description
La Gloria cabinet gramophone. Wooden cabinet, tabletop model with internal amplifier horn. Cursive "La Gloria" fretwork across horn / speaker. Hinging lid opens up to reveal turntable with green felt on top, needle arm and other components detached in bag.
Brief History
La Gloria gramophones were designed and manufactured by William Henry Newcombe of Auckland in the early 20th century. Between 1918 and 1922, Newcombe filed several patents on improvements to the diaphragm, sound-box, and amplifier components of hornless 'talking-machines'. Newcombe developed several different shapes of the amplification chamber and tone arm of a gramophone. He also made improvements to the diaphragm by a unique layering of strong paper, fine woven material such as silk, and a layer of cork. Newcombe claimed these improvements allowed for more accurate and attractive reproduction of sound, specifically of the human voice and music. It was with this backing that Newcombe established Newcombes Limited (later La Gloria Gramophones Ltd) offering high quality New Zealand designed and made gramophones to the New Zealand market.
Marks
PATENTS No [various numbers] / La Gloria / REGD / [MFGD] & PATD BY NEWCOMBE LTD AUCKLAND N.Z. / OTHER PATENTS PENDING Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Credit Line
La Gloria Gramophones Limited. Gramophone [La Gloria], 1982.232. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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