Victor the Sixth

[beaumonde]

In addition to the comments above, I will add that, considering the very low price you got this for, you can splurge a little and buy the proper mahogany horn, perhaps even an excellent reproduction, and either keep the black horn or sell it to offset the price of the new one.

[Retrograde]

Here is a website with reproduction horns.

[novkev24]

WOW, a great buy. Where did you find it?

As to when it was made, it seems reasonable to get an approximation by comparing the serial number with the number shipped each year, which would put yours around 1906.

Clay

Hi Clay,

I'm a member of the Antique Phonograph Enthusiasts group on facebook. A member of this group posted that he saw this machine in an antique store in North Carolina. I asked for the name of the store and called just as the place opened. I drove 3 ½ hours to the store to purchase the machine. It appears they had no idea how valuable this machine really is... That's how I got the it for such a low price.

Oh and thanks for helping figure out the manufacture date.

-Kevin

[novkev24]

I've heard from old time collectors, over the years, that the service life of the original exhibition gaskets was about 10-15+ years, depending on the environmental conditions. I'd say it's a safe bet that the gaskets in your sound box are not authentic. I've never seen an Exhibition sound box, in as-found original condition, that was fitted with anything but conventional (petrified) rubber tube gaskets.

Based on what I see in the photo, somewhere along the line--possibly 50 or more years ago--someone rebuilt the sound box using whatever material they could find for gaskets. (They almost look like some type of putty that has hardened with age.)

Along this line, the thumbscrew does not look authentic. Hopefully, the hole was not re-drilled to accommodate it. If it was, you may have to hunt down a replacement needle bar.

But, in any event, I think you got a real bargain! The cheapest I've ever seen a Vic. VI sell for was about $2,000. Most of the junior models, even today, are priced in the range you paid.

DS

I just took the reproducer off and underneath the diaphragm the gasket appears to be white. The interesting thing is the white gasket has a big gap... I think you are correct. Along the way, someone must have done work on this machine.

[novkev24]

In addition to the comments above, I will add that, considering the very low price you got this for, you can splurge a little and buy the proper mahogany horn, perhaps even an excellent reproduction, and either keep the black horn or sell it to offset the price of the new one.

An original mahogany horn will be in my future... Looking at the forum, it appears that an original mahogany spear-tip horn runs about a grand. Santa comes but once a year.

[TinfoilPhono]

Even better would be a big brass petal horn. I believe there are some reproductions around if you can't find an original. They are stunning with a capital S. Or better yet (but much harder to find), a spruce horn.

Congratulations again. It's wonderful to know that such treasures are still out there to be found. I swore back in the 1970s that all the good finds had been made. Boy, was I wrong....

[novkev24]

Even better would be a big brass petal horn. I believe there are some reproductions around if you can't find an original. They are stunning with a capital S. Or better yet (but much harder to find), a spruce horn.

Congratulations again. It's wonderful to know that such treasures are still out there to be found. I swore back in the 1970s that all the good finds had been made. Boy, was I wrong....

Thanks for your suggestions. When the time comes to purchase a better horn, I will look into all the options you suggested.