Which book would be better for a semi-newbie??

[jeff spicoli]

My mom and dad are giving me some money for Christmas to buy a phonograph book and I'd like to either get The Victor Data Book or Look For The Dog. I have an 1990 edition of Look For The Dog book and know what to expect(kinda), and I was going to get the newer edition but looking at the Mulholland Press website, it looks like the Data Book would be worth getting? What are the pro's and con's of each book?

[Jerry B.]

If you already have an early version of "Look for the Dog", I'd get the data book. It's much more than just data. When you get a little more money, think about George & Tim's books. Jerry Blais

[Retrograde]

Go for the VDB. It's primarily a reference book with not too much text, but boy is it useful for identifying correct Victor & Victrola parts & features on machines. The two books compliment each other. Both books catalog the machines, but the data book is more tabulated with detail of variations of each model. LFTD is the more like a Victor catalog of the time. The newest version has additional text and color images not included in the previous printings.

The books by George Paul & that other guy are a must too.

I took a quick count of phonograph/gramophone books in my library, 27 total. You have a lot to look forward to. LFTD was the first one I bought.

[phonogfp]

The books by George Paul & that other guy are a must too.

George P.

[jeff spicoli]

I was leaning towards the Look For The Dog Book but am going to go with the Victor Data Base book instead. Like I said earlier I know what to expect with the Look For The Dog book and apparently there isnt much differences between the old vs. new. If I get the Data Book then at least it will a different read.

I value everyones opinion on this site and with money tight around here its good to get some expert advice from people that have been there before.

[phonojim]

I've had the first edition of LFTD for years. It's a good book on Victor and their products. I've looked at later editions and I don't consider it at all worthwhile to update it. The Victor Data Book is a very good reference. I've owned it for several years and use it often to date and authenticate machines.

Jim

[mattrx]

I would agree with the V Data Book. To stretch your dollar, post on yankee trader that you want to buy a used one, and also look on amazon at their used book listings. I have purchased a few books there at great prices, mostly the hard back version to boot.

[TinfoilPhono]

I won't argue against the Data Book as being a great choice, but I will state my contention that the latest edition of Look for the Dog is so much better than the old editions that they can't even compare. Eventually you need both if your focus is on Victor.

But if I were to suggest one single book to anyone interested in getting into the hobby it would be the Fabrizio/Paul "Compendium," or else their "Discovering Antique Phonographs." The Victor Data Book is loaded with priceless details about Victor, but it's very highly focused and detailed, very much an advanced book for very serious collectors. The two Fabrizio/Paul books cover phonographs in a vastly more inclusive manner and are, in my mind, the two most important books ever published on the topic. How I wish something like those had existed when I started collecting over 50 years ago!

Note that I didn't mention my own book on tinfoil phonographs, which is perhaps the finest book ever written in the history of the universe, regardless of subject. But I'm modest.

Seriously, though, unless you are very focused on Victor you should consider the others. Bob Baumbach's research is unmatched, but like my own book his are narrowly focused. That's not a bad thing, it just appeals to a market that is equally focused. It all comes down to what sort of information you're seeking.

[FloridaClay]

If Victor is your focus, I agree with everyone that the Victor Data Book is the way to go and a great companion for the LFTD copy you already have. I consistently find that I use them together.

And having a focus is not a bad idea. There are so many different things out there that you can get overwhelmed. A mistake many beginners make is buying everything in sight and winding up with a scatter-shot collection that often includes some not very good machines.

Pick one make that appeals to you and learn all you can about that company and its machines. Then you will be armed with facts that will help you make good buys of quality machines. Wish I had had that advice from someone when I started. I made some serious mistakes because I was not well enough informed to know accurate prices from some sellers inflated sense of the value of a family "treasure" and to distinguish an authentic machine from something somebody had cobbled together that may have looked attractive but had little real value and/or would not perform well mechanically over time.

You can always expand to other makes later when you have mastered one and are ready to broaden your horizon to include another.

The learning over time is a fabulous journey. It is a rich and fascinating hobby.

Clay

[VintageTechnologies]

Back in the Dark Ages (1967) I cut my teeth on "From Tinfoil To Stereo".