(in)famous machine owners

[coyote]

A few years ago I purchased an interesting VV 2-60 and record case, apparently once owned by Wilbur B. Foshay. I wonder when the outfit was purchased and the lettering applied as the model was discontinued in 1928, and the Foshay Tower wasn't completed until late August, 1929. The tag attached to the record case looks to me like "WH Foshay," possibly his son, William? The first record on the typed list is of Sousa marches, amusing given the bad blood between Foshay and Sousa when Foshay's check to him bounced! The typed list is pasted over older lists, including a hand-written record index.

Tag attached to record case

[epigramophone]

As supplied to party members by Uncle Joe Stalin :

[epigramophone]

As supplied by Adolf Hitler & Co :

[GregVTLA]

I wonder why a man as rich as he wouldn't go for one of the more deluxe portables, like the 2-65. It's a really cool item.

[OrthoFan]

... I wonder when the outfit was purchased and the lettering applied as the model was discontinued in 1928, and the Foshay Tower wasn't completed until late August, 1929.

Since Foshay lost all his money in the stock market crash and filed for bankruptcy in 1931 -- http://www.mnopedia.org/person/foshay-wilbur-1881-1957 -- I'd guess it purchased before that time, possibly while the building was still under construction. But it could easily have been purchased in 1929. While discontinued, it would likely have still have been for sale until the remaining stocks were sold out, since this was Victor's top of the line portable model prior to the introduction of the 2-55 later that year.

In fact, according to the Victor Data Book, by Robert Baumbach, most of the 2-60's remaining shipments--to dealers, etc.-- took place in the fourth quarter of 1928, though five were shipped during the first quarter of 1929.

OF

[coyote]

OrthoFan: Thanks for the info!

epigramophone: Thanks for the pictures; I especially like the records inside the swastika!

GregVTLA: The 2-65, at least, wasn't produced until Foshay was in the thick of bankruptcy and court proceedings. I wonder if he would have purchased a 2-55 for some Orthophonic magic?

[GregVTLA]

GregVTLA: The 2-65, at least, wasn't produced until Foshay was in the thick of bankruptcy and court proceedings. I wonder if he would have purchased a 2-55 for some Orthophonic magic?

That's what I was thinking. I would've thought a man like him would jump for the latest technology, having a VV 10-50 at home with a 2-55 for on the go. #4 reproducers sound good but nothing compared to Orthophonic.

[OrthoFan]

... That's what I was thinking. I would've thought a man like him would jump for the latest technology, having a VV 10-50 at home with a 2-55 for on the go. #4 reproducers sound good but nothing compared to Orthophonic.

While they don't have the expanded sound quality a good-condition 2-55 delivers, they still have a mellow, full sound, with quite a bit of bass -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QQtLTHZIRs

I'd swap my chrome plated Paillard portable for one in a heartbeat to a local collector.

OrthoFan

[jmad7474]

GregVTLA: The 2-65, at least, wasn't produced until Foshay was in the thick of bankruptcy and court proceedings. I wonder if he would have purchased a 2-55 for some Orthophonic magic?

That's what I was thinking. I would've thought a man like him would jump for the latest technology, having a VV 10-50 at home with a 2-55 for on the go. #4 reproducers sound good but nothing compared to Orthophonic.

I don't think Mr. Foshay was particularly musical himself nor enjoyed listening to music - remember, he stiffed John Phillip Sousa in 1925 for over $10,000 after the opening of his tower!

[gunnarthefeisty]

Do you still have this machine?