Featured Phonograph No. 114 - Victrola 230

[FloridaClay]

Yes it should be as much as an 18 as it cost more when new,and sold fewer but most collectors prefer uprights or table top machines keeping the value lower

It is the problem of space. There are some wonderful consoles, like the 230, I would dearly love to have, but just no place to put them and many others have that same issue.

Clay

[Dave D]

A very nice machine. I like the look of consoles, they fit today's interiors much better than uprights i think. That four spring motor must be nice too, that should run for 20 minutes when fully wound.
Thanks for sharing.
Andreas

My experience selling machines was just the opposite. The console style was hard to move, while uprights always sold fast. This was a few years ago when antiques were still selling for decent money.
Dave

[estott]

A very nice machine. I like the look of consoles, they fit today's interiors much better than uprights i think. That four spring motor must be nice too, that should run for 20 minutes when fully wound.
Thanks for sharing.
Andreas

My experience selling machines was just the opposite. The console style was hard to move, while uprights always sold fast. This was a few years ago when antiques were still selling for decent money.
Dave

My opinion has been that people buy uprights because they are immediately recognizable as "Victrolas". The opposite of the 20's customer who wanted to play down the function.

[startgroove]

Funny, I would place the market value of the XVIII less than it is and the 230 more than it is. Uprights sometimes are over rated, and definitely way more common. I personally have three consoles in my permanent collection. Russie

[barnettrp21122]

With consoles I just don't like stooping over to play a record or wind it, and I'm vertically challenged as it is!
Bob

[gemering]

Just want to mention:
One of the most beautiful victrolas I've ever seen in person was a 230 in Circassian walnut.
It was at the Wayne, NJ show about a year ago and was being delivered to a collector in a private deal.
I did not inquire about who the new owner was, as it was a private deal.
I wonder if it went to a forum member.
The machine was absolutely stunning!

Gene

[phonogfp]

We showed a Circassian Walnut Victrola 230 on pages 184-185 of A World of Antique Phonographs. Here's page 184; the other full-page photo shows the machine with its lid open.

George P.

[FloridaClay]

Now for that one I might get rid of other things to make room.

Clay

[estott]

The hump back version is also quite eye catching- the curves of the lid are for once an asset.

[Henry]

i'm guessing that the 230 is one of the, if not the, best-sounding non-Ortho acoustic machines Victor made, given the "fat" tone arm with no. 2 sound box, and the huge horn opening. Any opinions?