Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
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- Victor IV
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
I am with Curt.. That offset spindle hole is not a professional job so what electric motor was there before.?? Is it possible it was equipped with a Victrola approved motor then later changed because it broke . Another possibility is the motor was replaced due to voltage or cycles difference where it was home to in a different country. What ever this is one of the most beautiful phonographs I have ever seen. Tom
- Curt A
- Victor Monarch Special
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
The cabinet is absolutely gorgeous, there is no dispute there.
However, the motor with a string drive, is not original to this machine. The crude way the motor is mounted and the actual motor itself, is some later cobbled addition. I can't think of any phonograph or non phonograph application that used a string drive motor. No phonograph (other than a Puck) used string for a belt. All phonographs used gearing to drive the turntables and used governor brakes to adjust the speed. This has some sort of variac to adjust the speed of the motor - definitely not original.
I have to believe that a phonograph of this quality was originally outfitted with a Victor electric motor, tonearm and turntable... Just my opinion.
However, the motor with a string drive, is not original to this machine. The crude way the motor is mounted and the actual motor itself, is some later cobbled addition. I can't think of any phonograph or non phonograph application that used a string drive motor. No phonograph (other than a Puck) used string for a belt. All phonographs used gearing to drive the turntables and used governor brakes to adjust the speed. This has some sort of variac to adjust the speed of the motor - definitely not original.
I have to believe that a phonograph of this quality was originally outfitted with a Victor electric motor, tonearm and turntable... Just my opinion.
"The phonograph is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
- audiophile102
- Victor IV
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
It really belongs in a museum of fine art. Simply breathtaking. Thanks for posting this. 

"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 III
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
The screw hole you point out with the arrow in front of where the tone arm mounts is for the cast iron part of the Victrola horn. There must not have been room in the cabinet for the motor and that cast iron horn neck. That's quite a machine. Did Victor have those cabinets made overseas? That might explain why there is no id tag and some of the other differences. Also, Victor would have put a paper label inside the machine back where the horn comes down from the base of the motorboard. Maybe whoever was doing that for Victor, made an extra one. It's sure a fascinating find. Good luck with it now, Earl
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- Victor I
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
Can anyone translate the arabic(?) lettering (writing) which is on the accessory drawer front, lid front, sides and other places?
thank you
bob stutz
Absolutely stunning machine in pictures, must be incredible in person
thank you
bob stutz
Absolutely stunning machine in pictures, must be incredible in person
- Skihawx
- Victor IV
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
"There is no vanquisher except Allah" Is what I have been told.bearcat wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 8:17 am Can anyone translate the arabic(?) lettering (writing) which is on the accessory drawer front, lid front, sides and other places?
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- Victor VI
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
Translation: ‘Use each needle once only’ 
"All of us have a place in history. Mine is clouds." Richard Brautigan
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- Victor VI
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
I know the motor isn't considered original equipment, but it's still a neat motor.
And the cabinet on this is one of the most impressive inlaid cabinets on anything--phonographs or not--that I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing it!
And the cabinet on this is one of the most impressive inlaid cabinets on anything--phonographs or not--that I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing it!
- Dischoard
- Victor III
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Re: Victrola XVI Moorish Marquetry found
It looks like your avatar!
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- Victor IV
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