SAVED! Borgia II, in Buffalo area

[PeterF]

Some of you may have recently seen on eBay a Victor Borgia II (9-2) Electrola-Radiola, located near Buffalo NY. I got in touch with the seller to find out the details on it, because although I already have a back-breaker of a 9-40, I hate to see these incredibly cool things under-appreciated. That usually leads to "liquor cabinet" or "shabby chic" or "steam punk."

The guy is really nice, and is helping an elderly friend clear out his storage. When he listed it the first time, he did what research he could do, but could not find any financial benchmarks - and so listed it quite a bit too high. Also, the thing is in a cramped storage, making good photography difficult. So, no sale.

Let's see what we can do to save the thing and get it into safe hands. Someone had started the restoration, because it is partially disassembled and you can see newer capacitors peeking out of the Tomcat amp.

The cabinet is in very nice shape except for some easily removed green paint splatters low on one side. It appears complete, and a major plus is that the pot metal pivot-arm for the electrical pickup is intact and uncracked. You usually find them snapped off, or missing. The orthophonic reproducer has succumbed to potmetalosis however, but that's no big deal. It has the non-dynamic transducer (driver) and I asked him to do a click test - it's good. No tubes for the Radiola 28 or Tomcat but he is looking for them.

If you have ever had any interest in one of these, here is your chance. They just do not turn up, unless your name is Victrolamonkey, in which case they replicate in your attic. But for the rest of us, this could be a last best chance.

Make no mistake, it's big and huge and hard to find a spot for, but it's crazy unique because you can instantly compare top of the line 1926 acoustic and electronic reproduction, using the largest orthophonic horn. And you can also use that horn to listen to the ballgame on the radio.

I waited 25 years to find mine, and as mentioned earlier, actually broke my back moving the beast into the house. But it's one of the culminations of my hobby endeavors and I really dig it. So think it over, for yourself, or for any pals that might want it.

Again, let's save it from getting parted out or otherwise destroyed!

I got him to take better pictures and send them to me, and they’re attached below. PM me for his contact info.

[dzavracky]

BOY... thats one beautiful machine! I hope someone here can get it

David

[pallophotophone]

Some of you may have recently seen on eBay a Victor Borgia II (9-2) Electrola-Radiola, located near Buffalo NY. I got in touch with the seller to find out the details on it, because although I already have a back-breaker of a 9-40, I hate to see these incredibly cool things under-appreciated. That usually leads to "liquor cabinet" or "shabby chic" or "steam punk."

The guy is really nice, and is helping an elderly friend clear out his storage. When he listed it the first time, he did what research he could do, but could not find any financial benchmarks - and so listed it quite a bit too high. Also, the thing is in a cramped storage, making good photography difficult. So, no sale.

Let's see what we can do to save the thing and get it into safe hands. Someone had started the restoration, because it is partially disassembled and you can see newer capacitors peeking out of the Tomcat amp.

The cabinet is in very nice shape except for some easily removed green paint splatters low on one side. It appears complete, and a major plus is that the pot metal pivot-arm for the electrical pickup is intact and uncracked. You usually find them snapped off, or missing. The orthophonic reproducer has succumbed to potmetalosis however, but that's no big deal. It has the non-dynamic transducer (driver) and I asked him to do a click test - it's good. No tubes for the Radiola 28 or Tomcat but he is looking for them.

If you have ever had any interest in one of these, here is your chance. They just do not turn up, unless your name is Victrolamonkey, in which case they replicate in your basement. But for the rest of us, this could be a last best chance.

Make no mistake, it's big and huge and hard to find a spot for, but it's crazy unique because you can instantly compare top of the line 1926 acoustic and electronic reproduction, using the largest orthophonic horn. And you can also use that horn to listen to the ballgame on the radio.

I waited 25 years to find mine, and as mentioned earlier, actually broke my back moving the beast into the house. But it's one of the culminations of my hobby endeavors and I really dig it. So think it over, for yourself, or for any pals that might want it.

Again, let's save it from getting parted out or otherwise destroyed!

I got him to take better pictures and send them to me, and they’re attached below. PM me for his contact info.

Hi,

That is stunning ! But what is a "Tomcat" amplifier ? The missing type 99 tubes for the radio aren't a problem.

Any idea what he'd like for it? I'm not far down the road in Syracuse. Would it go through a vans back door ,upright?

[PeterF]

Well, karma was hard at work over the past couple of days. Happy seller, happy buyer, and that hot mama Lucrezia Borgia has stopped spinning in her grave.

We successfully beat back several unsavory types, and found it a safe new home.

Good job, team!