Once Again...Is This Original Paint?!

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
gramophoneshane
Victor VI
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Re: Once Again...Is This Original Paint?!

Post by gramophoneshane »

If it left the Edison factory that way, it definately would have had the Edison decal present.
It is however a professional job. The decoration on the intereor of the lid is raised, which means it has a proper laquered finish over paper mache.

schweg
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Re: Once Again...Is This Original Paint?!

Post by schweg »

Did anyone attend this auction or find out the selling price? I thought it was pretty neat even if it was an aftermarket job. Steve

brianu
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Re: Once Again...Is This Original Paint?!

Post by brianu »

yes, this was at an auction, right? not craigslist? it would be interesting to know what the price was.

also, I'd say it was done outside of the factory (no decal, storage area appears to be a straight mahogany), but it looks extremely well done.

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Steve
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Re: Once Again...Is This Original Paint?!

Post by Steve »

If it left the Edison factory that way, it definately would have had the Edison decal present.
Maybe. Maybe not. Please remember that this was the period with the height of interest in Chinoiserie but nevertheless not many of the major phono producers had enough call for a special run of cabinets to be produced like this, so there was no advertised 'Special Ranges' as such(and doubtfully ANY would have had the necessary cabinet painting and papier mache skills to provide the finish anyway?). So the theory is that each provided a 'bare' cabinet to one of the specialist furniture decorators / painters in order for them to customise each one. HMV certainly allowed this 'concession' in England as there are a number of late 20's HMV machines which have been spotted with either black, blue, green or red grounds to the finish with Chinoiserie figures and hand-painting added afterwards prior to final lacquering.

I see no reason for Edison or any other maker in the US to have been different. If an individual customer wanted it, the manufacturers could have supplied it via the external source. The original decals are rarely ever found on the machines, not because they were removed and the cabinet refinished, but simply because they were never put on to begin with, maybe the thought was that it would interfere with the design and aesthetic of the machine?
Last edited by Steve on Tue Nov 30, 2010 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

gramophoneshane
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Re: Once Again...Is This Original Paint?!

Post by gramophoneshane »

I guess it's possible (anythings possible) but I have noticed that all Victor, Columbia & Brunswick machines in a Chinoiserie/Japanned factory finish include decals, as do Edison special decorated machines.
I guess investigating the machine in person could help identify it as an original factory finish, although I see no reason that an original shellac or laquer finish couldn't be later stripped before a Chinoiserie finish was applied.

brianu
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Re: Once Again...Is This Original Paint?!

Post by brianu »

and, again, some of the interior of this cabinet, mainly in the record storage area, does appear to have a mahogany finish (at least based on the photos).

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