Caruso's Victrola

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
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rvwenger
Victor I
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by rvwenger »

I wonder what those two small openings are on either side of the bottom two horizontal albums ?

HisMastersVoice
Auxetophone
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by HisMastersVoice »

rvwenger wrote:I wonder what those two small openings are on either side of the bottom two horizontal albums ?
Accessory drawers. Remember, this was a custom made machine.

Viva-voce
Victor III
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by Viva-voce »

I do hope it's still around and well-cared for. From the surviving photos I've seen, it's a very elegant machine--not ostentatious at all. Caruso, and/or his wife Dorothy, had excellent taste!

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drh
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by drh »

Viva-voce wrote:
HisMastersVoice wrote:I’ve heard stories varying from it being destroyed to still being in the Caruso family. Or maybe it’s in my house... :D
Hahaha Brandon :)
Well in that case, you may also have a tantalizing cache of test pressings of unpublished Caruso recordings he probably kept in there!

Steven
Little known fact: Caruso couldn't stand his test pressings and discarded them immediately. Instead, he amassed a huge collection of the complete Uncle Josh.

;)

epigramophone
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by epigramophone »

Viva-voce wrote:I do hope it's still around and well-cared for. From the surviving photos I've seen, it's a very elegant machine--not ostentatious at all. Caruso, and/or his wife Dorothy, had excellent taste!
Caruso did not purchase the machine. It was a wedding present from the Victor company.

Viva-voce
Victor III
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by Viva-voce »

Yes--thanks-I forgot that I had read that somewhere

Steven

epigramophone
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by epigramophone »

Here is a gramophone which Caruso did buy, for his stepmother Maria Castaldi with whom he enjoyed a close and loving relationship.
The pedestal is very impressive, but perhaps a few more lire should have been spent on a stepladder :lol: .
Attachments
caruso gram.jpg

Viva-voce
Victor III
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Re: Caruso's Victrola

Post by Viva-voce »

An absolutely sweet and beautiful photo!

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