The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

gramophone78 wrote: So, I would like to ask other members....was the Victrola XX supplied with a motor with extra plated gears or..??.

I would appreciate any information.

For what it's worth my XX has the all nickel motor.

Regards, Larry Crandell

Phonolair wrote:.For what it's worth my XX has the all nickel motor.

Regards, Larry Crandell

Thank you Larry. Can I ask you what the first two serial numbers are please (you can PM me if you like)..??. I believe I have seen pics of your stunning machine. Very nice indeed... .

No problem Wayne, serial number is 5785

As a side note, one of the XX's the late Bob Johnson had in his collection was sequential to mine. Although I don't remember now if it was one higher or one lower. Interesting to think that two XX's going down the assembly line side by side managed to both survive.
I don't know where his XX's went or how much of the collection may be left.

Regards, Larry Crandell

Phonolair wrote:No problem Wayne, serial number is 5785

As a side note, one of the XX's the late Bob Johnson had in his collection was sequential to mine. Although I don't remember now if it was one higher or one lower. Interesting to think that two XX's going down the assembly line side by side managed to both survive.
I don't know where his XX's went or how much of the collection may be left.

Regards, Larry Crandell

Very interesting. Maybe the early production VTLA's & XX'S did have a little extra "under the hood"?. Ours is very close to yours at #51**. It's also very interesting to know of another one digit from yours....amazing!!.

According to the Victor-Victrola website, the lowest documented XX is #4453. One sold at auction that was #8384.

This is quite a span in production time and things can certainly change over time.

I have read that the serial numbers were just randomly pulled from the VTLA production line up.

I wonder if the gold accenting was also random or "as ordered"..??.

Thank you again Larry for the information.... .

those serial numbers sound high and the range between them seems somewhat large - I though only about 600 of these were ever produced...? I'll try to find a photo of the data plate for the one I used to own, but I recall the number being very low.

brianu wrote:those serial numbers sound high and the range between them seems somewhat large - I though only about 600 of these were ever produced...? I'll try to find a photo of the data plate for the one I used to own, but I recall the number being very low.

I think the Victor-Victrola website is keeping record of XX serial numbers remaining. I provided ours.

There appear to be other slight changes as production went on with the VTLA and XX.

For example: my bottom drawer has a wider "cut out" on the drawer front. The later version has a narrower "cut out". The early record albums have no patent information or gold letters on the spine and holds 15 records. The later record albums have the patent info and gold letters on the spine and also holds 15 records (The one shown holds 10 records).

I have no idea when these changes took place. However, I have noticed the last Pooley "flat top" VTLA design has the same early parts I mention above.

So, maybe Victor used up remaining parts until they ran out..??. I have no idea.

Note: the pics of the later parts are from an on line source.