Is this VV-230 Circassian Walnut?

[Benjamin_L]

It's an absolutely gorgeous machine, Wayne.

[Victrola-Monkey]

Thanks again for your nice comments y’all.

Gene,
The timing you saw that VV-230 CW at the Wayne, NJ show is interesting. I bought mine from Wayne in Vernon NJ on 2//11/13. He said he inherited it from his dad. Either there were two of these about 31 miles apart or the guy’s father is the one that drove to the Wayne NJ show then subsequently passed away, or the guy lied about the history of how he obtained it. Hmmm.

[StL Bill]

Wayne;
What a stunning phonograph! Congratulations on a great addition to your collection.

Bill

[Victrola-Monkey]

It's interesting that the very informative Victor-Victrola.com website has a American Walnut VE-230 in their catalog for sale at $3750. In their desciption, they indicate the following:

"For those who may be interested, we have a more rare and spectacular Circassion Walnut VV-230 in-stock. Please contact us for more information on this incredibly gorgeous machine. It is expensive, but worth it!".

http://www.victor-victrola.com/New%20Se ... 0AW230.htm

Their Circassion Walnut VV-XVI (non L-door) is offered at $5900. I paid $6500 plus fees at an auction in within the last couple years for my Circassion L-door.

[edisonclassm]

Absolutely beautiful machine! I used to have a pristine VV-330 years ago in Circassian and regret getting rid of it

[edisonclassm]

I was commissioned years ago to build an Auxetophone in Mahogany for a customer and I thought while I had to build the one, I would build two. One for him and one for me so I decided to make mine in Circassian Walnut. I am fortunate to have a world class supplier of veneer in my area so when it came to choosing the veneer for the cabinet I asked them if they carried circassian walnut. They directed me to an old flitch of "French Walnut" For all intents and purposes French walnut is exactly the same as Circassian walnut. so if you ever need to replace damaged veneer, ask for French walnut as you are more likely to find it. In the 60's, 70's and 80's antique dealers would buy container loads of cheap European antique furniture from the 20's, 30's and 40's and you would see dressers and wardrobes that were made of French walnut which appeared to be Circassian.
Another interesting note is the use of gum wood to mimic Circassian walnut. This you see used in Sonora products that appear to be Circassian Walnut. The front, rear and sides are usually veneered in Circassian but the lid and frame work, legs, etc. are gum wood which looks very similar to Circassian

[Victrola-Monkey]

I would like to make a correction to my earlier post regarding the price I paid for a Circassian Walnut L-door. I had indicated, by memory, it was $6500 but in fact it was $7380 ($6000 prior to fees).

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 64#p206778

Edisonclassm,

Thank you for your comments and for the French walnut and Gumwood tips/info. It’s amazing to me that you built a Circassian Walnut Auxetophone. Is it possible to post pictures?

[larryh]

Personally I always favored consoles and this is by far one of the nicest I have ever seen. And that is in a case I normally don't care for at all. But it all falls together with this one.

[estott]

Another interesting note is the use of gum wood to mimic Circassian walnut. This you see used in Sonora products that appear to be Circassian Walnut. The front, rear and sides are usually veneered in Circassian but the lid and frame work, legs, etc. are gum wood which looks very similar to Circassian

Red gum can have a similar grain, and it was popularly used in woodwork for years. You can't get much depth in the grain though, and it can warp and twist over time.

[edisonclassm]

I built the Auxetophones 20 or so years ago so I didn't have digital technology then. I sold it to a collector reasonably close to me (180 miles away) and I do go there periodically so I will get good photos of it next time and then post them. I took it to several shows back then (Wayne. Union, Chicago Slot show) but for some odd reason I didn't get any photos of it. That has been the case with most of the stuff I've restored over the years. I'm a good restorer but a lousy photographer I guess