Victor Junior Reproducers: How Can You Tell...

[JerryVan]

... if they're original or reproductions? What do you look for to spot a reproduction?

I'm usually very good at spotting reproduction parts, but these Vic Jr. reproducers have me stumped. For example, Robin & Joan Rolfs have a very nice Vic Jr. for sale on this forum. Robin very honestly states that the reproducer is a reproduction. I would never guess it. What is the "tell"?

The Rolfs' example:

Victor Jr Black (5).jpg (102.74 KiB) Viewed 610 times

[phonospud]

I’m just going by memory here so I could be mistaken. The wording behind the mica I thought was a label. White lettering on a black background. This one looks stamped (?) Perhaps there’s variations(?)

[kiwiatlarge]

Great question Jerry

There are many reproduction reproducers out there and after several decades of patina they can be really hard to tell from the originals. There is a Berliner right now up for auction at a well known auction house that has a reproduction J reproducer (SN 18425), though this isn't stated. There are quite a few rigid arm and taper arm concert reproductions out there as well that collectors may not realize are reproductions. The usual give away is the engraving or lettering, either differences in style or slight differences in wording. To see this you really need to compare to a known original.

Here is the what I believe to be an original Victor Junior. They are hard to photograph. We only have the front of the Rolf's one, but you can see a difference in the way the R is engraved/stamped.

I've thought about starting a list of known reproductions and posting this on this forum and on the APS forum.

Michael

[JerryVan]

Michael,

Wow! Yes, a totally different font. Also, the knurling on the outside diameter of Robin's example rolls over onto the face of reproducer housing, while the original one has a clean, sharp edge. Almost as if, (or maybe because), the convex face was cut after the knurl was formed.

[JerryVan]

Happy to state that, going by these examples, my Jr. reproducer is an original!

[KC Kent]

I've always looked for the engraving on the backside. The repros that I've seen don't have anything.

[JerryVan]

I've always looked for the engraving on the backside. The repros that I've seen don't have anything.

Great information. Thanks!!

[Zenger]

Well, now I'm confused! I had always assumed that my Junior reproducer was a reproduction, due to how clean and shiny it was. (I bought it and my black Junior horn together, separately from the machine; the horn is definitely original.) And it does not have any markings on the back, unless you count what's in the picture, which could just be the residue of liquid droplets, although one really does look like an 8, and another like a zero, or a 6, or a small triangle. (It's like a Rorschach test.) But the lettering on the insert behind the mica looks like that on the original, not the repro, and the gnurling -- well, I just can't tell. What do you all think?

[Phono-Phan]

I have three different reproducers for a Victor Jr. One has the nickel plated face with black "Victor Junior" on it, one with a black finish face with white "Victor Junior" on it, and one is a Victor accessory to be able to use an exhibition on a Victor Junior. Both of the ones that have "Victor Junior" on them also have embossed information on the backs. I believe both of those are original.

[Phono-Phan]

Well, now I'm confused! I had always assumed that my Junior reproducer was a reproduction, due to how clean and shiny it was. (I bought it and my black Junior horn together, separately from the machine; the horn is definitely original.) And it does not have any markings on the back, unless you count what's in the picture, which just be the residue of liquid droplets, although one really does look like an 8, and another like a zero, or a 6, or a small triangle. (It's like a Rorschach test.) But the lettering on the insert behind the mica looks like that on the original, not the repro, and the gnurling -- well, I just can't tell. What do you all think?

I am thinking that your original thought is correct. The "Victor Junior" behind the mica looks to be a paper label. I believe those were made by Merrick Stehlick (Not sure of the spelling) in Canada years ago.