The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am with Curt.. That offset spindle hole is not a professional job so what electric motor was there before.?? Is it possible it was equipped with a Victrola approved motor then later changed because it broke . Another possibility is the motor was replaced due to voltage or cycles difference where it was home to in a different country. What ever this is one of the most beautiful phonographs I have ever seen. Tom

The cabinet is absolutely gorgeous, there is no dispute there.

However, the motor with a string drive, is not original to this machine. The crude way the motor is mounted and the actual motor itself, is some later cobbled addition. I can't think of any phonograph or non phonograph application that used a string drive motor. No phonograph (other than a Puck) used string for a belt. All phonographs used gearing to drive the turntables and used governor brakes to adjust the speed. This has some sort of variac to adjust the speed of the motor - definitely not original.

I have to believe that a phonograph of this quality was originally outfitted with a Victor electric motor, tonearm and turntable... Just my opinion.

It really belongs in a museum of fine art. Simply breathtaking. Thanks for posting this.

The screw hole you point out with the arrow in front of where the tone arm mounts is for the cast iron part of the Victrola horn. There must not have been room in the cabinet for the motor and that cast iron horn neck. That's quite a machine. Did Victor have those cabinets made overseas? That might explain why there is no id tag and some of the other differences. Also, Victor would have put a paper label inside the machine back where the horn comes down from the base of the motorboard. Maybe whoever was doing that for Victor, made an extra one. It's sure a fascinating find. Good luck with it now, Earl

Can anyone translate the arabic(?) lettering (writing) which is on the accessory drawer front, lid front, sides and other places?

thank you

bob stutz

Absolutely stunning machine in pictures, must be incredible in person

bearcat wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 8:17 am Can anyone translate the arabic(?) lettering (writing) which is on the accessory drawer front, lid front, sides and other places?

"There is no vanquisher except Allah" Is what I have been told.

Translation: ‘Use each needle once only’

I know the motor isn't considered original equipment, but it's still a neat motor.

And the cabinet on this is one of the most impressive inlaid cabinets on anything--phonographs or not--that I've ever seen. Thank you for sharing it!

Skihawx wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 9:51 am

bearcat wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 8:17 am Can anyone translate the arabic(?) lettering (writing) which is on the accessory drawer front, lid front, sides and other places?

"There is no vanquisher except Allah" Is what I have been told.

It looks like your avatar!

Skihawx wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 9:51 am

bearcat wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 8:17 am Can anyone translate the arabic(?) lettering (writing) which is on the accessory drawer front, lid front, sides and other places?

"There is no vanquisher except Allah" Is what I have been told.