Inspired by the painting of a dog looking into a gramophone horn Liam Martin began his collection.
Liam Martin first became interested in gramophones as a child when he saw the image on a HMV record of a white dog looking up into the horn. The painting on which the logo is based, His Master's Voice, was the work of Liverpool artist Francis James Barraud.
Liam Martin has spent years searching for these machines throughout Ireland. He discovered some of them being used in farm yards to catch rainwater. While the gramophone players are no longer in popular demand, they are still used as props in theatre.
They're much sought after by theatrical people.
One piece in his collection is similar to one featured in a Sean O'Casey play. Another model, apart from its mechanical works, was hand carved in mahogany by his later father-in-law Philip Dillon.
While a recording by tenor John McCormack plays Liam Martin explains that in the past peas were used in the throat of the horn as a filter. One of the big problems of the horn gramophones was the scratching sound produced when playing a record. With the development of electric machines, the older horn gramophone player fell out of popularity and use.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 6 June 1969.
