This nice vintage Columbia 211 gramophone is just the kind of thing that would have been taken along to family picnics in its day, though admittedly it's not very portable by today's standards! The Columbia 211 was introduced in 1936, but the serial number on this example dates it to 1953, making it one of the last to have come off the production line. Click here to see it playing a novelty foxtrot entitled "My Coquette", performed by The Debroy Somers Band, a prominent British dance orchestra of the 1920s and 30s.

As can be seen in the photographs, this model was manufactured in a stylish black finish with contrasting chrome-plated components, fast/slow adjustment, automatic start and brake mechanism, a container for storing needles and detachable winding handle, all housed within a smart black Rexine-covered case. Still playing well, with considerable volume and surprisingly good sound quality, it measures 40cm x 28cm x 16cm (with case closed). Note that it is suitable only for playing Shellac records, at 78rpm, and not for later vinyl records.