"Stop me and buy one!"

[ppppenguin]

Peter, hope you had a good trip. Thanks for the info about the set and dealer. Good to know that it's a genuine sale.

[Doodlebug]

Well it's still listed on eBay for sale.

[peter scott]

True! Son in Aylesbury but set sold separately by mother in Edinburgh.

Great holiday, thanks Jeffrey. A bit hotter than here.

   

Peter

[peter scott]

I went to see this set today and am very grateful to Mrs Bennett-Levy for allowing me to remove the back and take photos. I have added the set  to my dating list.

Although very bulky it is on castors and quite easy to move around. For those unfamiliar with HMV902 it is the HMV equivalent of the Marconi 703 Mastergram and whilst very different in appearance it has the same functionality and sold originally for the same price. Unlike the 703 the 902 came in two versions. The 902 used a 9" Emiscope 6/5 CRT viewed through a magnifying lens. The later 902A used the 12" Emiscope without the lens.

Whilst this set is complete and very original it would require some fettling to become functional. Looking at the magnified screen it gave me the impression of being larger than the 12" image.

All the first generation EMI sets use essentially the same TRF vision receiver. The 703 uses the same timebase chassis as the 702 an 901 television only sets but the 902 shares the same timebase as the 900. This is essentially the same circuit as in the television only sets but built on a rectangular chassis instead of the triangular one. So the 902 is basically a 900 with added gramophone.

In general there are not many signs of repairs, only a very obvious blue electrolytic in the timebase that appears to have disconnected at one end. The EHT transformer is in its original black pitch.

I understand that the set is now sold to a UK dealer.

Peter

   

   

   

   

   

   

[ppppenguin]

Peter, thank you for documenting this set. Looks as if it's not been touched in very many years. If the CRT is good it's clearly a fine prospect for a full restoration.

PS: The link to your website gives: "An error occurred"

[peter scott]

Oops! Sorry, too many https.

Peter

[`FRANK.C]

Hi Peter
Thanks for the photos. A fine set.

Frank

[Jac Janssen]

Thanks for the photos Peter.

Always useful to know a bit more about these very rare sets.
The 902 in the Science Museum London has serial number H/1 2121 , so very close to this one.

Jac

[peter scott]

Thanks Frank and Jac. I've added a line for H/1 2121.

Peter

[Geordie McBoyne]

Bought my HMV 902 from Gerry Welles in 1988. Didn't pay £7999.99p for it. Tidied up the electronics in 2017 by removing all the vi-vis components. Capacitors are now restuffed EMI components. The EHT transformer recently failed and will need replacement or rewinding.
A very rare version of the 902 was introduced late 1938. The 902A was fitted with a direct view 12" CRT in lieu of the vertical 9" tube and the optical components comprising of an internal mirror and magnifying window.

Geordie McBoyne.