Gramophone [La Gloria]
Maker and role
La Gloria Gramophones Limited, Manufacturer
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Object detail
Accession number
1970.170.1
Production period
Description
La Gloria Gramophone. The cabinet is made of light-coloured wood. The lid is hinged with the maker's nameplate on the inner lower side of the lid. A large turntable occupies most of the inner space. A green felt covers the turntable and a record sits on top. A gooseneck tone arm which hinges in the centre emerges from the back-left corner of the unit. 'Maestoso' Switzerland diaphragm. The front grill has seven parallel vertical slits.
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 La Gloria Gramophones Limited offering high quality New Zealand designed and made gramophones to the New Zealand market.
Marks
La Gloria / REGD. / MANFD. & PATD. BY LA GLORIA GRAMOPHONES LTD. AUCKLAND. NZ Maker's Plate
Other name
La Gloria
Credit Line
La Gloria Gramophones Limited. Gramophone [La Gloria], 1970.170.1. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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