Broadcasting at 405 lines and 25 frames per second, transmissions commenced in November 1936.
The Art Deco-styled set combining a 12in (30cm) screen and a four-band radio offered a number of innovations with its 80 guineas price tag. Housed in a deluxe 3ft 3in (1m) walnut and mahogany veneered case with mirrored lid, it chose to enclose the cathode ray tube in an earthed steel shield. Not only did this reduce interference, it kept the very high voltage capacitors safely away from fingers and acted as a protective shroud in case of implosion.
They were made at HMV in Hayes from November 1936 to November 1939 with some returned to the factory after the Second World War for modifications.
Although, like many items in vintage sound and vision category, these have come down in price a little in recent years, the 900 remains a must for early television connoisseurs.
The example offered by technical antiques specialist Auction Team Breker (21.8% buyer’s premium) in Cologne on May 13 had the relatively early serial number 1553. Guided at €2000-3000, it made €7000 (£6050).
Orchestrion Ehrlich’s Musik Automat,€29,000 (£25,000) at Auction Team Breker.
An earlier form of popular entertainment was provided by the mechanical ‘flute’ that topped the sale at €29,000 (£25,000) – the Orchestrion Ehrlich’s Musik Automat.
Made by Paul Ehrlich of Leipzig c.1890, this seemingly unique iteration of the Victorian disc-playing music box played its tunes via bellows and 26 wooden pipes.
The only known example of its type, it came for sale with 30 12in (30cm) discs and a nicely restored walnut case featuring a replaced pediment and two replaced floral-painted metal panels.
The estimate was €12,000-15,000.
