From Thomas Edison’s first attempt to create a music recording and playing device in 1877 to Alexander Graham Bell’s graphophone, inventors had been trying to find an effective way to record sound. Fortunately, Emile Berliner invented the first-ever sound recorder, which was called the gramophone. The gramophone proved to be more practical than its earlier counterparts and made it possible to mass-produce records. Berliner then formed the Gramophone Company to sell and distribute his products worldwide. Only a few of these once popular gramophones are in existence now, so they are a good investment. The invention of the gramophone is a testament to how science can do great wonders for the arts and vice-versa.

George White studied art in London before becoming the chief specialist figure painter on vases, plates, cups and saucers at Doulton’s Burslem Studio. He painted figures, usually maidens in romantic scenes and wearing diaphanous garments. He uses soft and delicate colours and was able to depict the translucent quality of these robes in realistic and very lovely detail. He also decorated Luscian ware, one of Charles Noke’s many specialties. It is an enamelled pottery and tended to be decorated in the Art Nouveau style from around 1900. George’s vases and plates must have taken hours of painstaking work to decorate, and together with the rarity value of these finest pieces, it’s no wonder they are much sought after now.