Victor or Victrola?

[epigramophone]

I hope our American members will forgive the following question, as the answer will probably be obvious to them, but not to me in the UK.

I have Red Seal "Batwing" label records with serial numbers not too far apart, some of which carry the Victor name and some the Victrola.

Was there a cut-off date, or was there some other criteria for deciding which label would be used on which record?

[Harold Aherne]

The higher-priced Red Seal series were styled "Victrola" from 1909-14, then the name was dropped for a few years. Afterwards, all Red Seals from 1917-35 used the Victrola name. More specifics are found in The Collector's Guide to Victor Records by Michael Sherman.

-HA

[epigramophone]

Thankyou. It all makes sense now.

[Victrolacollector]

I have a love for the red seal Victor and Victrola records. The clarity of these fine works is often attributed to the great condition, since many were rarely played when new.

[epigramophone]

The Red Seals often play with less surface noise than the UK HMV pressings, probably because a less gritty mixture of ingredients was used in the manufacturing process.

The Indian HMV pressings are also generally smoother than the UK ones, and probably for the same reason.