VV-XI early table model

[phonogal]

I have been looking at an early VV-XI table model with the gold plated hardware, bullet brake and round speed control. The man that has it wants me to make an offer on it. Its in very nice original condition. What would be your opinion of a fair price? Thanks, Jan

[Jerry B.]

Hi Jan,

The table model XI comes from the infancy of the Victrola era. Every model was unique to itself. I think the motor is the same as a Vic III or IV. The tone arm should be the same as a Victor VI. The bullet brake is the same as the VI. The value of the individual parts is quite high. Because they were cannibalized by early collectors even fewer survived. I'd say a fair price for a nice mahogany example would be $350 and more for an oak one. I hope this helps. Jerry

[phonogal]

Thanks Jerry. I appreciate the information. Prices are always so all over the place, that I have a very hard time trying to figure out what is a good price for something. As I don't often get to auctions or shows to know what they are actually bringing from collectors I get confused by prices on the internet. Jan.

[Couch Potato]

I had similar experience and picked up a VV-X table top machine for $75 in thrift shop that I just salivated upon seeing as it had the bullet brake, outside Victor type tone arm, and the early double cut motor in it, as well as the exhibition reproducer and crank still with it. Its only problem one door missing (and I searched that thrift shop with a fine toothed comb to no avail). Looks a little rough the picture below is in as found condition.

Local collector mentioned to me also that such machines are not so desirable as themselves but are typically just "harvested" to finish out highly sought after models like the V-VI mentioned earlier in the thread. Mine despite the temptation is still sitting in my garage waiting for a door do complete it out, and I have somehow managed to not to harvest from it to fix up two other external horn machines I have since restored. If the VV-XI you are looking at is in good original condition the price mentioned earlier in the thread is a fair number especially if it in fact has the external horn type tone arm, and older style motor. If's in great shape you can rescue it and ensure it stays together and is not parted out. Many of us cringe at that possibility. Of course at the same time we also buy various parts by themselves from time to time which at some point over the past 100 years came off another machine (hopefully one entirely eaten by termites or wood rot).

Not many table top XI's out there so its uncommon for sure and not ugly by any means. If you are able to get it please post pictures.

[Jerry B.]

Couch Potato, I'm glad you are still trying to find the missing door. It is well worth the effort. The VV-XII was probably too expensive for what was received by the customer. I suspect when the X and XI table models were introduced that Victor really started to see the potential of increased sales of internal horn machines. Both models were built with desirable parts and there will always be the temptation to part out a marginal machine. A Forum member advertised for a mahogany door for a XII and I happened to have one so there's hope for a X door. Jerry Blais

[Couch Potato]

Jerry, I'm not a huge fan of those table top lidded models for the that same perception of lack of value. They have the same foot print as a full upright machine and the few I have had have never found a home in the house out of the problem of what the heck to put them on and the fact what they generally end up sitting on have no place to hold records! You see the special stands they came with but goodness all that is is a 2 piece upright!! They also pack on the pounds. Love light golden oak especially but the dread mahogany never. At least with the table top VV-IV and VV-VI you can toss em on a shelf but no so much with the VV-IX and crowd.

[FellowCollector]

Local collector mentioned to me also that such machines are not so desirable as themselves but are typically just "harvested" to finish out highly sought after models like the V-VI

I would hope not. The Victor Victrola table models X, XI and XII have their own unique place in the history of the acoustic era Victor Talking Machines and each of these models is more difficult to find than any of the Roman Numeral external horn series Victors with the possible exception of the Victor 0 and Victrola XXV (Schoolhouse). The Victor X table model you found at the thrift shop was an excellent find especially for $75. Unfortunately, the door for your fumed oak (or Flemish oak, I can't tell for certain which by your picture) wood finish will be very difficult to find. As with all of the lidded table model acoustic era Victrolas (excepting the VIII, of course), mahogany was the most common wood finish and your chances of finding a table model X door in that finish would be much better. It's shameful when people remove important parts like doors, lids, reproducers, motors and cranks for the hard to find phonographs and then they don't keep them with the machine. As far as the table model XI that started this thread I buy every one I can find. I will always make room somewhere for a scarce table model Victor.

Doug