The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This is a late "L" door Victrola. It uses the same tone arm as the VTLA as well as many horn machines. The tone arm bracket is a last type for the early tone arm. I believe a bracket like this will work in your VTLA without any modification of your cabinet at least until you find the correct part to complete what you have. Jerry

Here is a spare bracket that I have. You are welcome to have it. If, in the future, you complete your original bracket, you can send it back to me. If you are pleased with this bracket and never complete yours, that's fine with me also. We need to do all we can to get these Victrolas making music again. Happy collecting, Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:This is a late "L" door Victrola. It uses the same tone arm as the VTLA as well as many horn machines. The tone arm bracket is a last type for the early tone arm. I believe a bracket like this will work in your VTLA without any modification of your cabinet at least until you find the correct part to complete what you have. Jerry

Jerry,
What kind finish does this machine have??? Looks like and yellow...

OK, tell me what you see. Look carefully.

Definitely a re-paint/re-finish with some age to it. For sure no factory finish, Victor would never have accepted the paint runs, the unfinished interior or the omission of the Victrola decal under the lid -> "Look under the Lid". Still looks quite decorative and well done on the outside. Do you know when it was refinished?
Thanks
Andreas

I wish I could tell you the history of my painted "L" door XVI but I can't. If you'll look at the photos, you will see several abnormalities because the cabinet has had some major alterations. The feet with casters are gone and replaced with a base made of fir or pine. The exposed hinges were replaced with hidden hinges. The replacement hinges are very old and I've seen the same brand used in a matching base cabinet for a Col BY as well the first table model Grafonola. The style of painting appears to be folk art and is unlike any painted machine I've ever seen. There is even a topless lady painted over the Victrola decal. The machine started as a mahogany Victrola because you can see where red stain has bled through the paint. I have no idea when it was painted. I've wondered if it was done during the teens or even as late as the sixties. I don't know. The cabinet modifications make me wonder if the machine was badly damaged during transport and subsequently salvaged and repaired. I've owned it for many years and have kept is as much for a conversation piece as anything. One visitor suggested it might possibly have been used on a ship because the replacement base is very study and stationary. The topless lady painted in the lid must have been quite risque. I would welcome any comments and I won't be offended unless you offer help to carry it to the burn pile. Jerry Blais

A very interteresting machine indeed. You know, Victrolas were popular furnishings in brothels of the time. A high-end model like the L-door may have been found in one of the better "Gentlemen's Clubs". Ah, the lives these machines led before we saved them!

Hi all,
Just recieved the motor board and motor parts and looks like I'll be able to start getting this machine back up to running condition. Thanks to downsouth ( motor board and motor) and Jerry B ( tone arm). I'll post some pics in a few days and thanks again to everyone for their support

Brandt

Glad to hear it! Can't wait to see the pics. Both those guys have helped me, too. I cannot say enough good things about the forum and the members. All very helpful and friendly. Hopefully some day I can return the favor.

Jerry B. wrote:I wish I could tell you the history of my painted "L" door XVI but I can't. If you'll look at the photos, you will see several abnormalities because the cabinet has had some major alterations. The feet with casters are gone and replaced with a base made of fir or pine. The exposed hinges were replaced with hidden hinges. The replacement hinges are very old and I've seen the same brand used in a matching base cabinet for a Col BY as well the first table model Grafonola. The style of painting appears to be folk art and is unlike any painted machine I've ever seen. There is even a topless lady painted over the Victrola decal. The machine started as a mahogany Victrola because you can see where red stain has bled through the paint. I have no idea when it was painted. I've wondered if it was done during the teens or even as late as the sixties. I don't know. The cabinet modifications make me wonder if the machine was badly damaged during transport and subsequently salvaged and repaired. I've owned it for many years and have kept is as much for a conversation piece as anything. One visitor suggested it might possibly have been used on a ship because the replacement base is very study and stationary. The topless lady painted in the lid must have been quite risque. I would welcome any comments and I won't be offended unless you offer help to carry it to the burn pile. Jerry Blais

I'm pretty sure that this Victrola was painted to fit in someone's "Pompeian Room". For some reason Pompeian motifs became a popular decorative theme in expensive interiors in the early twentieth century. Chicago's Congress Hotel had a Pompeian Room. The Tower Restaurant (which opened in 1906) at the top of my hometown's largest and best department store had a Pompeian room. Even the New York Central's 20th Century Limited had a Pompeian themed parlor car. I've seen photos of more than one millionaire's mansion which had a either a Pompeian themed ballroom, or breakfast room, or parlor, and the paintings on the walls are similar to what I see on this cabinet. It's even been made somewhat bleary so that the paint job could look antique right from the start.

The fact that someone replaced the base and removed the swelling out corners (no doubt because the originals did not look the least bit like ancient Rome), and went to the bother to hide the hinges really seem like clues that this was part of a professional decorator's plan. I really think the paint job was done soon after the machine was sold, and that it was owned by someone wealthy, who was interested in keeping up with the latest decorative trends.