Now here's something different! It's a portable PA amplifier, and probably dates from the 1940s. The amp unit is a very high-quality British H&H brand, and the 12-inch speaker is the oldest permanent-magnet Australian Magnavox I've seen, so the unit as a whole was probably made in Australia. The speaker grille is cast metal, and the cabinet has all its original clasps, screws, hinges, handle and leatherette covering.

And it works! In fact, it sounds damn good! I plugged a guitar into the 'mic' input (a standard 1/4" jack), and it worked a treat. There are separate inputs for a 'pickup' (which would be for an old ceramic-cartridge phonograph record player), 'radio' and 'film', making it an all-round portable amp for film projection, Public Address, and background music.

Obviously, if you were planning to use the amp with any regularity, it would be good sense to replace the power caps, but I have left everything as-is in the interests of originality.

As I said, it works (and sounded grouse, actually!), but it would be folly to expect the old caps to keep on working. I've taken many detailed photographs, including one of the amplifier with its cover removed, showing a healthy number of 'bottles' - and all original!

Something different for the collector, or even for the Delta Blues performer (vocals, harp or guitar) looking for something truly unique and 'period'!

Dimensions are 58cm(H) x 39cm(W) x 24.5cm(D), and weight is just under 20kg unpacked. Shipping weight and dimensions will be slightly higher.

$595AUD (plus shipping)