Needle Tin Bonanza in Turkey
by Bill Pratt
In the summer of 1997, while
working in Turkey, I had an
opportunity to explore the antique
shops of Ankara for phonographs,
records and other musical items.
I was particularly interested in small,
portable items, such as phonograph
accessories and ephemera, since I
didn't relish the prospect of lugging a
large, heavy machine home on the
plane.
Since October 14, 1923 Ankara has
been the capital of the Turkish
Republic. It is a large, modern city in
the heart of the country with a
population approaching four million,
second largest after Istanbul, and a
decidedly European atmosphere.
Its major historical attraction is the
citadel or castle ("kale"), built around
the 3rd century B.C, that sits
prominently atop a central hill with a
commanding view of the city and
surrounding countryside. Ottoman
houses built in the 18th and 19th
centuries line the narrow streets
leading up to and inside the castle.
There is no antique market in Ankara,
but many of these old houses are now
shops, catering to both residents and
tourists, selling metalwork, ceramics, carpets and
antiques. It was to this area that I headed in search
of phonograph items.
I wasn't disappointed. Although, curiously, I didn't
come across a single disc or cylinder recording,
I did inspect a number of machines - a couple of
Edison Standards, several portables (mostly
Columbia) and two uprights of unknown make. I
was struck by the miserable condition of most of
these machines - dusty, dirty, rusted and missing
tone arms and reproducers. In almost all cases the
woodwork would have to be refinished and the
mechanism restored to make an acceptable
machine.
Sadly, the largest number of outside horn
gramophones, in a similar shabby state, were of the
"fake" variety. All showed many of the
distinguishing features of these fake talking
machines that seem to proliferate in today's antique
market - odd-shaped and over-decorated cabinets,
some with glass panels, suspect back brackets and
the inevitable "His Master's Voice" decal. I asked
in one of the antique shops the provenance of these
machines and the dealer readily admitted that they
were being assembled in Turkey.
Fortunately, in one of the last shops I visited, I
came across a veritable treasure trove of
gramophone needle containers. Since this is one of
my interests, I was hopeful of finding some unusual
Eastern European makes to add to my
predominantly North American collection. Instead I
found stacks of English "His Master's Voice"
gramophone needle tins from The Gramophone
Company Limited. Some tins were loose but an
overwhelming number were shrink wrapped in
clear plastic packages of fifteen tins labeled
"HISTORICAL BOX 15 Pcs". All of the tins were
identical - the "Trademark" picture in white and
gold on a blue background, approximately 200
needles, extra loud tone variety. All of the tins were
empty and moderately rusted. I initially suspected
that I had stumbled upon a hitherto unknown area
of antique phonograph fakery, especially after the
shop owner showed me a back closet room where I
saw hundreds of identical packages stacked from
floor to ceiling. I decided to buy one package of
fifteen tins as an oddity. I recall he wanted $10.00
U.S. for it and we eventually settled on $6.00.
Back home I e-mailed Ruth Lambert, British
specialist collector and authority on gramophone
needle tins from around the world
(www.btinternet.com/~gram.needletins/). Her
response was an eye-opener: "These are original.
They're turning up everywhere - in UK and I've
seen them in Germany. I think they're from Turkey.
Made in England for export. There seem to be
1000's about, so they're cheap. As regards date, I
think they may be late, probably 1940s."
So, if you're planning a trip to Turkey, be sure to
stop in at needle tin heaven in Ankara. I don't recall
the owner's name but you can't miss the shop. It's
at the foot of the "kale". And if, back home, you're
offered an empty, blue, somewhat rusted tin of 200
extra loud tone "His Master's Voice" needles for
$25.00, you'll know the price is much too high.
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