The First Mini Disc

In 1924 The Gramophone Company was commissioned by the royal household on behalf of Princess Marie Louise to make a bespoke set of six miniature records and a miniature gramophone for Queen Mary’s Doll’s House. The Doll House was to be filled with an extensive collection of fully functioning miniature pieces carefully selected to showcase the very finest and most modern goods of the time.

Quen Mary's doll house gramophone

The Dolls house was a gift for Princess Marie Louise’s younger cousin (Queen Mary) who knew of the Queen’s love for miniature objects. The tiny record measured just 3.4cm across and played “God save the King” sung by Peter Dawson, (a musician at the height of his success as a recording artist for His Master’s Voice from 1904 – 1958.) The mini shellac records were played on a miniature replica of the HMV Cabinet Grand Gramophone which measured just 10cm and took four months to make. The miniature gramophone and records were complete in every way, including the labels on the records, the sleeve for the disc and even the iconic trademark under the lid of the gramophone.

Due to popular demand The Gramophone Company made replicas of Peter Dawson’s “God Save The King” to sell to the public.