The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Another recent post about a XVI purported to be Circassian Walnut got me to wondering. I recently posted about my VE-XVIII that was restored-- The label inside the record compartment states "Circassian and American Walnut". Does this mean that my machine utilizes both woods? Does anyone else have this label in their machine? Label is dated January 1, 1915.
It is obvious on mine that the lid, doors and sides are Circassian-- but the lid base and corners may well be American as the grain is less pronounced. Just a wonderin'. Please see pics-

Brad Abell

That contrast looks great. It looks like they mixed the woods for that effect, or maybe because of scarcity and cost. Either way, that’s a gorgeous machine.

I think it just means that the label was used for both American Walnut models & Circassian Walnut models as well. I don't believe it implies that mixed woods were used. Not every piece of circassian walnut has highly patterned grain, especially in smaller cabinet components, such as the upper framing. Besides, I'm thinking that they saved the choicest grains for the most "showy" areas, leaving the plainer pieces for less prominent spots.

Here is the label in my 1915 Circassian XVI.

Cheers, Bob S.

I refinished a Circassian Walnut XVI for a guy a long time ago, and under the hinges or bottom of the doors all the parts had a CW stamped in them along with the lot number at the factory. I assumed at the time that it meant Circassian Walnut, but since that was the only machine like that I've ever handled like that I really didn't have anything else to go by. His label said the same thing on it and I also thought Victor probably used the same label for both types of wood. And also, the solid pieces of wood on his cabinet were probably European walnut since it's lighter in color than American walnut is, and would match the Circassian walnut better. Both of you have very nice looking machines and congratulations on finding them! Earl.

Here are photos of an American Walnut VV-XVIII (Ser. No. 2369) and it's license notice (dated December 13, 1916) which specifies only American Walnut. Note, there is an additional license notice beneath the one on top. Who knows what the lower says?

Bob

Pathé Logical wrote:Here are photos of an American Walnut VV-XVIII (Ser. No. 2369) and it's license notice (dated December 13, 1916) which specifies only American Walnut. Note, there is an additional license notice beneath the one on top. Who knows what the lower says?

Bob

All of the machines shown here are extraordinary, regardless of the species. The XVIII machines are probably about as tastefully elegant as a phonograph can get.

Note, there is an additional license notice beneath the one on top. Who knows what the lower says?

I have a late American Walnut VV-XVIII. The second label on mine could be peeled off. and underneath was a label similar to the VV-XVI label posted earlier, which said "Circassian and American Walnut" (except that mine was for a VV-XVIII). The significant difference was that the newer XVIII label showed the reduced price of $300 for the spring motor walnut XVIII. The price was reduced when the VV-XVII was introduced, so that would indicate that your XVIII was sold after the price reduction on December 13, 1916.

Hi Silvertone,

Thanks for the information about the license notice. I take it the first notice attached on your machine gave the original price of the American Walnut VV-XVIII as $350. Is that correct? What is the serial number on yours?

Thanks,
Bob

I have A 1918 walnut xvii with a label that doesnt mention the finish or price