The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have one of these, it's gorgeous. I consider myself very lucky to have found it and mine is in fine original condition. I was prepared to pay far more for mine than I did and the one offered here, as others have said, is a great deal from a very reputable man. Please do not refinish this if you decide to get it, I know of just two others besides mine and this one for sale.

Sean

Jonsheff wrote:I found a Victrola 1920 VV-LouisXVI within driving distance and was considering getting it but didnt find info on the Victor site about it so i dont know if it is rare or has value, any advice would be helpfull

Screenshot_20190227-205332_eBay.jpg

not hugely desirable to anybody other than a collector IMO. It's beautiful (to us), and rare, but most would not want to give the space to something so large and out of style... it would be ruined in both value and collectability by being reconditioned and refinished, so please don't go there

Wonder if the albums have already been sold or if they still are with the machine? I got only the record index with my Chippendale, but only found *one* Period Model album since, way back when I was searching for them. Gave up after a while.

This brings up another question: What is the letter sequence on the album spines for these large Victrolas? I know it starts off A-B-C for the 12 inch albums in the left side compartment, but do the 10 inch albums under the speaker continue the alphabet? Get ignored? It would seem to me that there is more room amongst the compartments than the alphabet has letters, so do they continue with AA-BB, or just nothing?

As a friend pointed out when he saw the Chippendale, it was just typical of Victor that they would provide more storage for 12 inch records than 10 inch in these beasts. Anybody paying upwards of $1000 for such a Victrola would naturally only fill them with premium Red Seal Victor records!

Very rare! Probably 25-30 ever made. I'd be surprised if more than 5 exist today. The price is a bargain. The space is another matter....

Kirkwood wrote:Wonder if the albums have already been sold or if they still are with the machine? I got only the record index with my Chippendale, but only found *one* Period Model album since, way back when I was searching for them. Gave up after a while.

There were only 10 albums with the machine when I acquired it. Just enough to fill one side. These are currently on e-Bay now.

The seller has specified that some of the hardware is missing, and I imagine, with such low production numbers, it would be impossible to replace.

Interesting how much these period machines have decreased in value. I remember a Gothic selling very quickly for $7500 maybe 12 years ago, and that one was missing some trim and didn't have any albums at all.

Hyperion wrote:The seller has specified that some of the hardware is missing, and I imagine, with such low production numbers, it would be impossible to replace.

Interesting how much these period machines have decreased in value. I remember a Gothic selling very quickly for $7500 maybe 12 years ago, and that one was missing some trim and didn't have any albums at all.

The Gothic is one of my favorite machines.

not hugely desirable to anybody other than a collector IMO. It's beautiful (to us), and rare, but most would not want to give the space to something so large and out of style... it would be ruined in both value and collect ability by being reconditioned and refinished, so please don't go there[/quote]

Yes, I agree. I was thinking of buying to clean it up if needed and turn around and resell but collectors are not my market and I don't want something that would take forever to find the right buyer. as some have mentioned, I would never strip and restore anything like that one that had a great original finish. Although I am in the furniture business and have been for 25 years, I also have a side business where I sell Victrolas and Antique clocks. I do enjoy my walnut VV-XVII that I have, its not a collection like a lot on this board have but is good enough for me and all I need (unless I find another I like better like an 18).

You can see a whole collection of these machines, Gothic, Chippendale, Louis XV, etc. if you go to Jasper Sanfillipo's mansion. He has them on display in a row. If you are not familiar with him, he is the owner of the Fisher Nut snack company. Those are the peanuts you get when you fly. His collection is located near Chicago and people who go to the Union show at Donley's go there every year to tour the collection.
If you think this guy is wealthy, you're right!

http://www.sanfilippofoundation.org/san ... ction.html

marcapra wrote:You can see a whole collection of these machines, Gothic, Chippendale, Louis XV, etc. if you go to Jasper Sanfillipo's mansion. He has them on display in a row. If you are not familiar with him, he is the owner of the Fisher Nut snack company. Those are the peanuts you get when you fly. His collection is located near Chicago and people who go to the Union show at Donley's go there every year to tour the collection.
If you think this guy is wealthy, you're right!

http://www.sanfilippofoundation.org/san ... ction.html

I checked out the website, very cool stuff. My son lives in Chicago, might have to see if i can check it out next time i am there.