Victor Orthophonic 9-40 Value?

[gemering]

I am wondering if anyone here can give me recent sale price info. on a Victor 9-40?
I know sale price is a function of buyer want and seller motivation, etc., but would like to get a ball park idea.

I can see that the back bracket is shot. No surprise. Not sure of other pot metal parts.

Thanks!

Gene

[gramophone78]

Gene, I can't answer the value question. However, I like the way the tubes are exposed for the radio. I'm sure you know Ron sells the bracket.
Good luck in getting it... .

[edisonplayer]

I remember seeing a 9-40 in an antique shop in Binghamton,NY a few years ago.It was unrestored,and not in working condition.edisonplayer

[Oceangoer1]

Since this model has the components of a Credenza and a radio, plus the option to have electrical reproduction, I personally think you should not pay more than $450 or $500 for it. No more than $400 if it has those pot metal issues in the electronics in the back. The Victor Victrola website has this as a pretty rare and valuable model, and I would snatch it up if it were near me!

It certainly would be a lovely machine to restore because of all the things it can do! It really was a home entertainment system back then!

[Skihawx]

This exact machine was sold at auction earlier this year. I was runner up bidder at $275. It was a parts machine to me. I believe I was bidding against a shill bidder. Two days after the auction I got a call asking if I was interested in the phonograph at my last bid. I said no. I think it looks much worse in person. Backs are missing as well as a piece of door molding. There also was veneer lifting. Wondered what was going to happen to this one.

[A Ford 1]

Hi all,
This looks the same as a Radiola 28, Borgia II, Orthophonic I have owned since the 1975 or so time frame. I did not know the model number but mine is very good except for some minor finish rubs. It worked when I received it and the last time I played it some 10 years ago. Mine was bought by a Dr. Miller in as I recall 1926 or 27. The only problem was that the pinion and gear that rotated the sleeve valve were pot metal and crumbling. I purchased a pair of 1 to 1 spiral bevel gears from Boston Gear, back in the day, to replace the originals that were straight bevel gears of about 1 to 2 to 1 to 3 gear ratio. If I had it to do again I would try to find straight gears as spiral bevel gearing generate axial forces that the mountings were not designed to handle. When I moved in 2004 I removed all the tubes, for their protection, and have not reinstalled them. I will some day send in photos but it is surrounded by other items now and I can not get to it. I am 77 and the thing must weigh at least 200 lbs.and I think more then that. The radio gave a very deep bass I recall. Dr. Miller and his wife and a second couple bought an estate in Yale heights. The millers converted the stone carriage house to a home of two floors and a cellar. The stone house they converted was in excess of 60 feet on each side and the radio-phonograph was in an upstairs closet 20 by 9 feet in floor area. The house sat on one half block lot.
Allen

[A Ford 1]

Hi again,
I forgot to say I would have thought that this would be more valuable as I think I have seen none pot metal Orthophonic reproducers offered for sale at those values but I am not sure if they were over priced. By the by my machine was made before RCA bought Victor.
Allen

[briankeith]

You need a bigger house Gene - Merry Christmas

[estott]

Hi again,
I forgot to say I would have thought that this would be more valuable as I think I have seen none pot metal Orthophonic reproducers offered for sale at those values but I am not sure if they were over priced. By the by my machine was made before RCA bought Victor.
Allen

One big problem with this machine is the size. If you aren't going to have the radio and amplifier restored you will have a machine that sounds like a Credenza but takes up 50% more space. Electrolas (even early ones like this) aren't popular throughout the collecting field

[A Ford 1]

Hi again,
I only had to replace the rubber spacers between either side of the armature and the ends of the horse shoe magnet to get my Borgia II playing as the radio worked when I received it. The radio sounded great as did the Borgia II. The only names on this machine are Radiola 28, Radio Corp. of America, Victrola, and Borgia II 735. I assume it is serial number 735 but am not sure. No where is there 9-40 as far as I can see and I just looked to be sure. I also had heard from one collector in Baltimore that it might be valuable. I believe I also may have a spare old original equipment ballast tube that drops the line voltage down to battery level to supply the diodes.
Thank you all kindly for this thread and the information as I also wondered what my machine might be worth,
Allen