Victor "Special" Portable Phonos

[Cody K]

Have these models had a thread of their own here before? The search function doesn't turn up anything much for me, so if they've been discussed, it was a while ago, and I ran across this randomly tonight: https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2345/lots/460 and was struck by its top-of-the-moment design.

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Here's from the Brooklyn Museum exhibit: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencoll ... 7216/image

And then there's this variation, which I don't like as much: http://www.coincidentaldiscovery.com/rare.html (scroll down) because it loses some of its Flash-Gordon-cool-ness when parts are painted. Did it come in other colors too, though? Anyone have any experience with one of these? They sure are slick.

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[victorIIvictor]

It's interesting that the Special Model K (top image, the all-silver one) has an electric amplifier for the pickup, but a spring motor. The Special Model M (red and silver) is all electric (motor & pickup). Nice looking machines!

They make me think of wonders being offered at the 1939 New York World's Fair, the type of attractive luxury that would be "put on hold" and then forgotten as the United States entered World War II. (That's pure conjecture, of course).

Best wishes, Mark

[Edisone]

The red and silver model also had a crank.

[victorIIvictor]

thank you, you are correct. The other photos on the linked website do not show the crank, So somehow I missed it.

Best wishes, Mark

[Cody K]

This link is nice, showing details: http://wavesradios.com/rcavictorspecialblack2010.html

Mark, it is interesting to wonder what might have been produced if WWII hadn't created a new wave of relative austerity at exactly that moment in time. Here's what comes up on a google search for John Vassos, designer of this portable. Quite a forward-looking guy. Bonus -- scrolling down the search there are a few more pics of the "Specials": https://www.google.com/search?q=john+va ... sos+design