The iconic HMV sign, in Malta long associated with D’Amato Records, is making a comeback, as the business shares a video of its delivery on social media.
The sign, which had been in place since right after World War Two, was a popular attraction for tourists and locals who visited the long-standing family business; However, in July disaster struck.
The team at one of Malta’s most popular record store woke up to the sight of the HMV sign smashed and severely damaged by a crane working at a nearby construction project.
At the time, store owner Anthony D’Amato had shared that the 110kg sign was in an urgent state and needed to be dismantled.
Following its removal, the sign was taken to PrevArti’s lab to be studied and documented to figure out the best way for it to be reconstructed.
The HMV sign features a well-known logo across the world, with a dog staring at a gramophone.
The dog, named Nipper, belonged to Mark Barraud and after his passing, his brother Francis inherited all of his belongings, including a gramophone, recordings of Mark’s voice and Nipper.
Nipper was fascinated by the records played on the gramophone, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. With this scene in mind, three years after his brother’s death, Mark painted the sight calling it “His Master’s Voice.”
Main Image:The smashed sign at Valletta / Facebook
