HMV (His Master’s Voice) Model 157 Gramophone

Description

HMV (His Master’s Voice) Model 157 gramophone, Serial No. 12881, in dark oak, manufactured by The Gramophone Co., Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex, England.
I am listing my HMV 157 gramophone on eBay in the hope that someone within driving distance to my location would like to own this machine and come pick it up.  Shipping a machine like this must be quite  involved and costly because fragile parts must be removed from the machine and packed separately; and the cabinet must be completely protected.  I am therefore listing this for local pickup only, unless someone is willing to pay to have it safely shipped to their home and take the inherent risks.  Here’s my description:
The 157 was produced between 1927 and 1932.  It has what HMV called “the exponential tone chamber” (see photo) and is fitted with the HMV 5A Orthophonic sound box (see photo).  I purchased mine in 1978 right off the ship from an antique dealer in La Porte, Texas, who specialized in English antiques.  The condition of this machine is extraordinary.  It is original in every way and has never been damaged, repaired, restored, or abused.
The 157 was HMV’s smallest, folded-horn, “Orthophonic” gramophone.  Obviously not capable of producing the volume of sound that comes out of the massive Victor Credenza 8-30, the 157 is nonetheless capable of superb reproduction with plenty of volume.
Please examine all the photos as they are part of the description.  The machine comes with a supply of extra-loud tone, steel needles as well as 16 NOS Victor Tungs Tone, full-sound needles.
This is a beautiful machine in really fine condition and is available for pick up.  Contact me with any questions you might have about the machine or if you want more photos.  Anyone interested in the machine is welcome to come inspect it and hear it play.  Buyer always has the right to back out of the sale if a personal inspection of the machine does not meet his or her expectations.  This is only reasonable.  Please note, again, that I would rather not ship this machine but will consider it if the purchaser is willing to handle every aspect of packing and removing the machine.  Please note that as an eBay seller I do not ship or sell to foreign addresses.
Thanks for having a look.