Dream On.....

[mrvictormuseum]

that victrola XX was mine...I owned four of them at one time, but sold this one several years ago. I am aware of about 18 XX's now....and about nine have the gold gilt on the carvings. Karen and I put 200 hours into the restoration of this one at a total cost of $12,466.

[mrvictormuseum]

This Victrola has an interesting history - I hope some of you will enjoy this. I bought it on ebay Nov. 27, 2000 for $9,392.00. It had no motor, motor board, tone arm, turntable, etc. It was located in NY. When it arrived in my home in Oregon I found lots of kids toys in the back doors and a table talker flyer from an NY antique shop that said something like "Old Victrola, would make a nice plant stand. $250.00" So somewhere, the $250 price went to my bid of $9,392. Someone did well here. I owned 4 XX's at one time, but now down to two. Several collector friends have suggested that having four XX's at one time might be the only time ever, perhaps except at the factory when they were assembled. You can see my four at my website by going to www.mrvictor.com and clicking on virtual tour. On my last post I said we have $12,466 and 200 hours into this phonograph...to clarify, the $12,466 was the purchase price and restoration costs, but not counting our labor of 200 hours. I have always felt the XX's were worth $15,000 or more. Best, Bob

[phonogfp]

Bob, I can add a little to your history of that XX. Starting in September of 2000, I began driving across an additional 3 counties inspecting state facilities as part of my work. Once I had finished my work, I would stop at antique shops on the way home. On a couple of occasions, I stopped at a place outside of Big Flats, NY. It was a large place, but seemed to specialize in restored pieces ready to place in a living room. I continued to stop, but didn't hold out much hope of ever finding things there.

Just before Christmas, 2000, I was chatting with another dealer in the Elmira area, who told me of a local dealer who had been trying to sell an empty Victrola cabinet for months, but with no luck. Someone had reportedly made a lowball offer on this cabinet, which disgusted the seller, so he decided to list the cabinet on eBay. Much to his surprise and delight, the empty Victrola cabinet had brought nearly $10,000! I expressed some incredulity at this, but my informant assured me that it was true, and told me who the dealer was. I replied, "Wait a minute... I've been in there several times, and all I've seen is high-end furniture and decor items that have been fully restored! Where was this empty cabinet?" To which my informant exclaimed, "Didn't you go into the warehouse? That's where they keep all the stuff that needs work. Oh - you've gotta go into the warehouse!" Within 15 minutes I was finally standing in the warehouse - which is accessed through an unobtrusive door off in a corner. I began to get a sick feeling in my stomach, and when I arrived home, I checked completed listings under "Victrola." It was only then I realized that over the past few months, I had been within 50 feet of an empty cabinet for a Victrola XX!

George P.

[Guest]

For anyone interested and have not seen mine, here is the video on my YouTube channel. My VV-XX VTLA is exactly as I purchased it years ago and I personally like it just as she is. But that said, I can appreciate the fine work that was done on Bob's VV-XX. - Doug

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3YXXk_5t_g[/youtube]

[Starkton]

My VV-XX VTLA is exactly as I purchased it years ago and I personally like it just as she is.

I absolutely agree to keep the original condition, especially the authentic gilding of this beautifully preserved machine.

[antique1973]

Bob, I can add a little to your history of that XX. Starting in September of 2000, I began driving across an additional 3 counties inspecting state facilities as part of my work. Once I had finished my work, I would stop at antique shops on the way home. On a couple of occasions, I stopped at a place outside of Big Flats, NY. It was a large place, but seemed to specialize in restored pieces ready to place in a living room. I continued to stop, but didn't hold out much hope of ever finding things there.

Just before Christmas, 2000, I was chatting with another dealer in the Elmira area, who told me of a local dealer who had been trying to sell an empty Victrola cabinet for months, but with no luck. Someone had reportedly made a lowball offer on this cabinet, which disgusted the seller, so he decided to list the cabinet on eBay. Much to his surprise and delight, the empty Victrola cabinet had brought nearly $10,000! I expressed some incredulity at this, but my informant assured me that it was true, and told me who the dealer was. I replied, "Wait a minute... I've been in there several times, and all I've seen is high-end furniture and decor items that have been fully restored! Where was this empty cabinet?" To which my informant exclaimed, "Didn't you go into the warehouse? That's where they keep all the stuff that needs work. Oh - you've gotta go into the warehouse!" Within 15 minutes I was finally standing in the warehouse - which is accessed through an unobtrusive door off in a corner. I began to get a sick feeling in my stomach, and when I arrived home, I checked completed listings under "Victrola." It was only then I realized that over the past few months, I had been within 50 feet of an empty cabinet for a Victrola XX!

George P.

That's rough George, sorry for your loss. It reminds me of the time that Berliner
from Canada came into my sights. The seller never told me what it went for but I am
pretty sure it was out of my budget in any case.

[gramophoneshane]

the restoration of this one at a total cost of $12,466.

How is that even possible?

[FellowCollector]

My VV-XX VTLA is exactly as I purchased it years ago and I personally like it just as she is.

I absolutely agree to keep the original condition, especially the authentic gilding of this beautifully preserved machine.

Thanks for the nice comments Starkton. The VV-XX in my collection that is featured in my video came directly out of the original owner's Victorian home. They were quite well to do people and I believe that the original owner was a dealer in Victor Talking Machines. It needed nothing but some dusting and oiling as it was covered with an old blanket in the attic. All of the original records (mostly Red label Victor Grand Prize opera selections), Victor Record library manual, key and original Victor record boxes were with it. It was covered up and left exactly as it was when it was last played. When I cranked it up after all those years she took right off and was ready to play up a storm. I had to wait on pins and needles for more than 2 months while the family decided whether they wanted to part with it or not. I really did not think they would ever part with it as the grandchildren of the original owner were very fond of it. I was thrilled to be able to buy it.

[phonophan79]

For reference...

[Valecnik]

I don't think that 12-14K is out of line for something this rare... just out of line for my bank account unfortunately.

This man at "Musicaltreasuresofmami" is always offering very desirable machine but at high prices, most likely because he paid high prices.

A few years ago these machines brought more money and the prices will start going up again. It is probably tough to sell a high buck machine like this in todays market but I think they will come back.