The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

gramophone78 wrote:I know of at least two on the West Coast. Vince, can please provide where you discovered this model was made for the Montreal and Toronto market ?
As already mentioned, serial numbers started at 501 by this time.

That's what is written on The Victor Victrola web page, but I think I read it in either the data book or look for the dog. My copies are still in storage so can't confirm.

2 of the ones that I know of are west coast as well, but I'm sure there's quite a few out there we don't know about. I saw one on a local classified ad this year but not sure if it was one of the same ones I already knew about.

Mr Grumpy wrote:

gramophone78 wrote:I know of at least two on the West Coast. Vince, can please provide where you discovered this model was made for the Montreal and Toronto market ?
As already mentioned, serial numbers started at 501 by this time.

That's what is written on The Victor Victrola web page, but I think I read it in either the data book or look for the dog. My copies are still in storage so can't confirm.

2 of the ones that I know of are west coast as well, but I'm sure there's quite a few out there we don't know about. I saw one on a local classified ad this year but not sure if it was one of the same ones I already knew about.

I double checked the three possible references you mentioned. All state that this model was manufactured in Camden for export into the Canadian market. According to LFD..."there is speculation this model was made for a "trial" market...e.g. Toronto or Montreal".

In my opinion, Berliner Gramophone (Montreal), being the sole Canadian Victor distributor for all of Canada would have offered this model to any and all dealers that placed an order for them, regardless of location within the Dominion. Berliner held a very tight rein on his sole distributorship position right up until RCA took over and merged in the mid 1920's.

I have a XIII. So that’s one located down here in the southern states. Wes

downsouth wrote:I have a XIII. So that’s one located down here in the southern states. Wes

Wes can you confirm your XVIII has the Berliner Montreal plate below the Victor data plate please..?

Yes, sorry, speculated.

I wonder what evidence there was at the
Time that prompted these collectors
To speculate about those two cities?

Would love more info from Wes if possible....

Yes here’s a photo of the ID and Berliner tag. Here is a photo of the motorboard and the surrounding area also. It’s pretty plain. I think that extra trim might have been added.

Wes

downsouth wrote:Yes here’s a photo of the ID and Berliner tag. Here is a photo of the motorboard and the surrounding area also. It’s pretty plain. I think that extra trim might have been added.
Wes

Wes, thank you for posting pics of your machine. I also noticed your lid hinge has slotted screws as I suspected were used. The two XVIII I know of also use slotted screws for the lid hinge.

The Robertson screw was designed/patented in Canada (1909) and as far as I'm aware was never used by the Victor Talking Machine Co. or any other Phonograph company in the US.

Although Robertson did attempt to be exclusive with Ford, Phillips became the industry standard in the US auto manufacturing. Robertson was used mainly in boating.

My machine came from Canada. ( Can’t remembers the city). It was posted on EBay back in 2005 with a ridiculously low buy it now price. I had to have it crated and flown to Indianapolis where I picked it up from.

Thanks Wes.

I don't think there was ever a debate about the Robertson screws, I was replacing them with original style slotted screws.

No problem. With only 662 XIIIs produced, do we have any idea of just how many are know to exist today? Just curious.

Wes