Antique Monarch Senior Gramophone with Morning Glory Horn. France, Circa 1908

Spectacular antique His Master's Voice (HMV) Monarch Senior gramophone, France, circa 1908, featuring an elegant carved oak cabinet and an extraordinary black Morning Glory horn with gold decoration. This elegant early 20th-century model is in excellent condition and retains its principal original period components, including the Exhibition soundbox (reproducer), the nickel-plated gooseneck tonearm, and its powerful, carefully restored three-spring motor. It operates perfectly and delivers excellent sound quality, as demonstrated in the video accompanying our description. The large Morning Glory horn is one of its most striking features. Its wide, scalloped, petal-shaped bell is decorated with fine gold lines that follow the contours and raised ribs of the metal. Both the black paint and the gold decoration are original factory-applied finishes and remain in exceptional condition for their age. Its elegant shape and generous dimensions give this gramophone a truly impressive presence. The cabinet is made of oak and features particularly fine decorative workmanship. All four sides display rectangular panels framed by decorative moldings, with small turned columns at the corners. The upper edge is decorated with an egg-and-dart molding, while the substantial lower base features beautiful carved foliage and scrollwork. The wood retains its warm color and attractive natural oak grain. The cabinet has been carefully cleaned, respecting its original antique finish and preserving the minor signs of use expected of a piece with more than a century of history. One side retains the original decal of the Compagnie Française du Gramophone, featuring the early emblem of an angel writing on a disc. Although the decal shows some wear, this historic trade identification remains recognizable and provides an interesting reminder of the model's distribution in France. The gramophone retains its original Exhibition soundbox and nickel-plated gooseneck tonearm, as well as its wooden-handled winding crank, speed regulator, and brake mechanism. The metal turntable is covered with green felt, which has been replaced because the previous covering was badly deteriorated. The remaining components have been preserved, maintaining the originality of the instrument. Particular attention should be given to its powerful original three-spring motor, which has been completely serviced and adjusted. During restoration, all three mainsprings were replaced with new ones because the originals had lost some of their strength. The motor retains its original mechanism and is now in perfect working order. This Monarch Senior combines several features particularly prized by collectors of antique gramophones and phonographs: an impressive original Morning Glory horn, a richly carved oak cabinet, and a professionally restored three-spring motor in perfect working order. Its beauty and excellent state of preservation also make it a striking decorative addition to a distinctive living room or study. Moreover, its fully functional mechanism allows us to enjoy music today just as it was heard more than a century ago. Measurements: Horn bell diameter: 60.5 cm (23.82 in). Horn length: 72 cm (28.35 in). Cabinet width: 34.5 cm (13.58 in). Cabinet depth: 34.5 cm (13.58 in). Cabinet height: 18 cm (7.09 in). History of the Monarch Senior Gramophone and the Compagnie Française du Gramophone: The Monarch Senior gramophone was one of the Gramophone Company's most distinguished models during the early years of the 20th century, when sound reproduction devices were beginning to occupy an important place in European homes. It was introduced in May 1905 and remained in the company's catalog until October 1910, according to the brand's historical documentation. Its design was derived from the earlier Style 13 and Style 15 models, from which it inherited the elegant oak cabinet with columns at the corners and elaborate carved decoration. One of its most important features was its powerful three-spring motor, which provided a longer running time than simpler mechanisms. It was equipped with a 12-inch turntable, a speed regulation system, and a gooseneck tonearm, usually fitted with the well-known Exhibition soundbox. The earliest versions were marketed with conical brass horns, while large Morning Glory flower-shaped horns and later wooden horn models also appeared during those years. In France, the company's gramophones were marketed through the Compagnie Française du Gramophone, which used among its early emblems the figure of an angel writing on a disc. This historic trademark is particularly interesting because it belongs to a period before the famous dog Nipper became widely popular as the international symbol of His Master's Voice, known in Spain as La Voz de su Amo. An interesting historical detail is that a Monarch Senior gramophone accompanied Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova Antarctic expedition, which began in 1910. That particular machine remains associated with the history of the expedition, illustrating just how far these early music reproduction devices traveled. Today, Monarch Senior gramophones are appreciated for their mechanical quality, beautiful cabinets, and importance in the history of the gramophone. The Recording Featured in Our Video: "Siempre en mi corazón", performed by Raúl Abril and His Orchestra. 1940s. In the video accompanying our description, we can hear the gramophone playing "Siempre en mi corazón" ("Always in My Heart"), a beautiful melody by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. The song achieved great popularity thanks to the 1942 American film of the same English title. In this version, Raúl Abril and His Orchestra perform the composition in a gentle beguine rhythm, characteristic of the romantic music of that period. Its elegant, sentimental melody makes it especially enjoyable to appreciate the pleasing sound of this magnificent Monarch Senior. Raúl Abril (1911-1969), the stage name of José María Juncosa Panadés, was born in Porrera, Tarragona, Spain. Before pursuing a professional musical career, he worked as a schoolteacher, although he had shown a strong interest in singing from an early age and performed with various orchestras. After the Spanish Civil War, he began his musical career under the name Raúl Abril and formed his own orchestra in 1943, achieving great popularity throughout the 1940s. Known for his smooth, pleasant voice, he was especially successful performing boleros, romantic songs, and dance melodies. Among his greatest hits were "Tico-tico", "Celos" ("Jealousy"), "Mi caravana" ("My Caravan"), "Las Ramblas de Barcelona" ("The Ramblas of Barcelona"), and "Siempre en mi corazón" ("Always in My Heart"). He recorded more than one hundred songs and became one of the most recognizable voices in Spanish popular music during the postwar years. In 1950, he moved to Madrid, where he continued performing before becoming artistic director of the famous Casablanca nightclub, a position he held until his death in 1969.