Early 8-9 number 915.

[JerryVan]

Very nice! My 8-9 is serial #700. Nice to see that someone hasn't "cleaned" the "dirt" off your blue/green accents! The "dirt" is of course the shading that so many people have dutifully removed on most examples.

I've always loved the 8-9 and found a nice one about 2 years ago on Craig's List.

(BTW, Adam, it's an arts-and-crafts or even mission style cabinet, not deco.)

[Retrograde]

In a Victor company letter to the trade, it states...
"A COLORFUL UPRIGHT MODEL - WITH FULL
ORTHOPHONIC REPRODUCTION - DESIGNED
ESPECIALLY FOR THE FOREIGN-DOMESTIC
TRADE"

and...

"Its colorful polychrome finish will appeal particularly to the AMERICAN BUYER OF FOREIGN EXTRACTION.

Also it has "...unusual eye value"

Indeed!

Victor also says the cabinet design is "adapted from Italian style" and the finish is "baronial oak".

(see page 280-281 of the Victor Data Book for more)

I notice that this one has the orange felt on the turn table. I've seen others that have dark green faux leather.

[JerryVan]

"Italian Style", o.k. I guess I'm mistaken too...

[OrthoSean]

Yes, mine has the green faux leather on the turntable and came from the original family who were Polish immigrants. I love the 8-9 as well, it looks really cool and sounds great. I agree with Gene, I'd never part with mine, either. I looked for a nice unmolested original for years until I found mine.

Sean