Make: Victor
Model: VV-240
Serial #: 35720
Year(s) Made: 1923
Original Cost: $115
Cabinet Material: American Walnut
Turntable/Mandrel: 12 inch
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Victor #2 (Rebuilt)
Motor: 2 Spring (Rebuilt)
Horn Dimensions:
Reproduction Parts: None
Current Value: n/a
I know that a model 240 is nothing too special, but this one is special to us. This VIctrola has been in our family since purchased new by my great aunt and uncle in 1923. Somewhere around the mid 1930’s it was placed in the attic of their home (now our home) where it stayed until about 1990. My brother took it then but it only served as a conversation piece and did not operate. I acquired it about 3 weeks ago. Since then I have cleaned and rebuilt, and lubricated the motor, including the mainsprings, rebuilt the soundbox, and generally just given it a good cleaning. It is operating and playing records very well. All of the finish is original and as you can see, exceptional for being in an unheated and uncooled attic for 45 years or so. It is now setting in the living room of the 116 year old home where it was first placed when new, 97 years ago.
Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
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- Victor Jr
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Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
Last edited by alang on Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:35 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Number of Featured Phonograph in the title corrected.
Reason: Number of Featured Phonograph in the title corrected.
- Zwebie
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 146 - Victor VV-240
"American Walnut", Very Nice!
Great to have the history and keep it in the family.
Cheers, Bob S.
Great to have the history and keep it in the family.
Cheers, Bob S.
- phonogfp
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
Congratulations on having a family phonograph! That's something one cannot simply go out and buy. And how many phonographs that age are sitting in their original homes?
I hope you enjoy it for many years - -
George P.
I hope you enjoy it for many years - -
George P.
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- Victor VI
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
Welcome to the Forum--and what a way to come on board, with a family piece like that!
Nobody is going to hate on the Victrola 240. Personally, I love that style--it really has a more 1920s look to it than the tall case which makes me think of Edwardian interiors. It really matches the house and the decor you have it in.
You've done a great job on that old finish, too; walnut is beautiful wood.
Nobody is going to hate on the Victrola 240. Personally, I love that style--it really has a more 1920s look to it than the tall case which makes me think of Edwardian interiors. It really matches the house and the decor you have it in.
You've done a great job on that old finish, too; walnut is beautiful wood.
- audiophile102
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
Well said. Be sure to add photos of the original owner and a written history to an envelope inside the 240 for future generations. Provenance adds value to any antique. I wish I had even a brief history of the owners of my machines.VanEpsFan1914 wrote:Welcome to the Forum--and what a way to come on board, with a family piece like that!
Nobody is going to hate on the Victrola 240. Personally, I love that style--it really has a more 1920s look to it than the tall case which makes me think of Edwardian interiors. It really matches the house and the decor you have it in.
You've done a great job on that old finish, too; walnut is beautiful wood.
"You can't take the phonographs nor the money with you, but the contentment the phonographs bring may well make your life better, and happier lives make the world a better place."
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- Victor Jr
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
Thanks. There really was very little to do to the finish other than cleaning off the dust and a little lemon oil. I was amazed how good the finish was after setting in the attic all those decades!VanEpsFan1914 wrote:Welcome to the Forum--and what a way to come on board, with a family piece like that!
Nobody is going to hate on the Victrola 240. Personally, I love that style--it really has a more 1920s look to it than the tall case which makes me think of Edwardian interiors. It really matches the house and the decor you have it in.
You've done a great job on that old finish, too; walnut is beautiful wood.
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- Victor Jr
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- Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2020 10:55 am
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
Excellent idea! I will do that. Thanks.audiophile102 wrote:Well said. Be sure to add photos of the original owner and a written history to an envelope inside the 240 for future generations. Provenance adds value to any antique. I wish I had even a brief history of the owners of my machines.VanEpsFan1914 wrote:Welcome to the Forum--and what a way to come on board, with a family piece like that!
Nobody is going to hate on the Victrola 240. Personally, I love that style--it really has a more 1920s look to it than the tall case which makes me think of Edwardian interiors. It really matches the house and the decor you have it in.
You've done a great job on that old finish, too; walnut is beautiful wood.
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- Victor Monarch Special
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
You are so fortunate to have a family piece.
Jerry B.
Jerry B.
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
It's a rare and special thing to have a machine that never left the family. I often look at the Featured Phonographs. It is nice to have details and pictures of the variety of machines that entertained people during the first third of the 20th century. Thank you for sharing your machine. Is your VV-240 going to remain an only child?
- fran604g
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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 149 - Victor VV-240
Yours is a wonderful tale, with a very happy ending, which too few can experience.
Welcome to the forum, congratulations on your heirloom, and especially, thank you for sharing it with us.
Best,
Fran
Welcome to the forum, congratulations on your heirloom, and especially, thank you for sharing it with us.
Best,
Fran
Francis; "i" for him, "e" for her
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.