The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3425017587

Came across this by chance.


I've always been intrigued/fascinated as to why Victor produced this model.

Thought somebody might be interested.

Got one of these as my "first Victrola" when I began collecting as a kid, still have it. The pics are the one noted on eBay. This one shown is missing the sloped panel or board in the bottom that Victor installed to direct the sound to the front, much like the early VV-IV used. The motor sat inside this "speaker", plus the board caught the oil and grease drips, etc. On mine the Victor patents label is glued onto the board so it's visible when you turn the machine over. Like you, I'd be interested to know why Victor made this model, unless they had a demand for a small cheap machine and just hadn't quite figured out how far down they could go with the "cheap" aspect.

HMV made a similar model, same characteristics but these, at least to my early model:
Soundbox is an Exhibition Junior
Motor is the old style single spring with the barrel in upright position, as to receive the crank directly from the right side, inclined governor, etc
There are two lateral wooden slats to form the horn into the box
It has a bottom board, straight, closing the unit
It had two doors in front of the horn
It had the cannon brake
A photo is my avatar...
A video in my YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/nMbD2_OMc_s