Early Victor Monarch Value

[phonogfp]

Well, that's a shame. The 88th Monarch built, and some "handyman" had to butcher it.
5) Possibly a reproduction Columbia/client sound box.
.
George P.

I think the early machines started at 100 or 200. The first number at 501 was a later practice.

I wasn't aware of that - thanks. Do you have a source? (If it's in The Victor Data Book, I'll be embarrassed.)

George P.

[Zwebie]

Skihawx wrote:
phonogfp wrote:
Well, that's a shame. The 88th Monarch built, and some "handyman" had to butcher it.
5) Possibly a reproduction Columbia/client sound box.
.
George P.


I think the early machines started at 100 or 200. The first number at 501 was a later practice.


I wasn't aware of that - thanks. Do you have a source?

Cheers, Bob S.

[Pathe Logical]

Zwebie's mahogany Victor MS, serial number 200, is featured here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22666&start=0 .

Bob

Looks like Bob S. beat me in posting this!

[Django]

Skihawx wrote:
phonogfp wrote:
Well, that's a shame. The 88th Monarch built, and some "handyman" had to butcher it.
5) Possibly a reproduction Columbia/client sound box.
.
George P.


I think the early machines started at 100 or 200. The first number at 501 was a later practice.


I wasn't aware of that - thanks. Do you have a source?

Cheers, Bob S.

Is there a time warp in Oklahoma? You don't find many in that condition in New Hampshire.

[Zwebie]

From the http://www.victor-victrola.com/Identification.htm website:

Serialization of external horn Victors likely began around s/n 100. Accurately dating these very early external horn machines is difficult, as the serial numbers were reset in 1905 and some were reset again in 1909, and thus, there can be 2 (or more) identical serial numbers for a given model. In addition, factory records for the earliest machines are incomplete. In these cases some educated guessing is needed to accurately date a phonograph. This is only the case for external horn Victors...not for Victrolas.

Most Victrola (internal horn) phonographs started production at s/n 501, and ran consecutively until the model was discontinued. Each model has it's own serial number during the sequential production run. During production, large blocks of serial numbers were skipped in some instances, but since these "skips" were well documented, we are still able to accurately date virtually all Victrolas. The exceptions to the "501" starting serial number for Victrolas occur on prototype models, and many of the Canadian-built and Export models, which can have serial numbers below 100.

[phonogfp]

Thanks, Mark, Bob, and Bob! Much appreciated - -

George P.

[randymullx]

Thanks to everyone for the fantastic information and suggestions.....this forum is great!! I'll see if the shop will allow me to remove the wood pieces to see what kind of hack job I find underneath. If it's not too bad and the motor appears to be original, I'll probably bring it home but if the motor has been replaced with some other model, I'll most likely pass.

[Jerry B.]

I'll see if the shop will allow me to remove the wood pieces to see what kind of hack job I find underneath

I am optimistic that repairs around the crank hole just might be the easiest part of the restoration. We have a fellow in Portland, OR that is magic with wood. I don't know his methods but the end results are outstanding. I'm not talking about a major refinishing but the repair of a local spot and the ability to blend the repair into the adjoining areas. I suspect there are persons of similar skills in many communities. I would check and ask your local antique shops for someone with similar skills.

Jerry Blais

[Dave D]

I would not be surprised to see that that patch on the crank hole is to cover up mouse damage. It may be obvious from the inside when you get a good look at it. A good furniture touch up guy could repair that.
Dave D

[randymullx]

The good news is that the damage under the wood pieces is minimal and I should be able to make repairs. It looks like the crank escutcheon was missing and this was a handyman's remedy. The bad news is that the motor must have been changed out as it is single spring. I found a photo of the motor in Harold Braker's acrticle "Victor-Victrola Motor Identification" and "A different example of a single spring 'spur' motor with an all iron top. For what it's worth, the original photos were dark due to poor lighting and the cabinet is not nearly as dark as what was shown. I couldn't help myself....brought it home anyway. I'll do what I can to restore it as the existing motor fits well and it looks pretty easy to repair. Who knows?? maybe someday the correct motor will show up.