The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am always interested in purchasing Victor "Period" models. If you
are ever interested in selling let me know. Very nice find!

Thank you for the value estimates and the welcome! For those looking to buy - I just got it!

If y'all don't mind me asking; there are two small doors with a shelf on the back of the cabinet (see link below). These two small doors lead to a small compartment that doesn't appear to serve any apparent purpose. Would anyone know what the compartment was used for? Your help is immensely appreciated! I also attached images of the feet and turntable.

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/4692/victrola2.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8028/victrola4.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8216/victrola3.jpg

I think the small doors were access to the electrical parts where wiring could be altered to accommodate different outlet voltages. I know yours is spring driven but perhaps all models had the extra doors. Thanks, Jerry

That's interesting! Thank you for the information! I wasn't sure if there was a connection between the doors and Prohibition, so had to ask!

Following the introduction of the electric motor option
all high end victrola had the rear compartment. The space
is for housing and ventalating the voltage dropping resistors
for the motor and compartment lamp. The motors were 32 volt
motors and could be run from 32V, 110V and 220V. There even
was a dropping resistor for the lamp to run a 110v bulb from 220.
All period models and all VV-XVIII's have the rear doors. There
wasn't enough volume to worry about producing two designs.

The pics here show what the electrical components look like in the back of the Chippendale Victrola equipped with the electric motor. In this case, this is a "wide model" of the Chippendale. I regret that the pics aren't clearer, but for now they'll have to do. I'm about 400 miles away from the machine right now, and can't clearer pics just yet.

I've heard a couple of reports that owners of Victrolas with these rear door used the compartment to hide liquor.

Kirkwood wrote:I regret that the pics aren't clearer, but for now they'll have to do. I'm about 400 miles away from the machine right now, and can't clearer pics just yet.

Wow - still impressive. That must be some fantastic telephoto lens your using to get such a clear photo from 400 miles away

Sorry couldn't resist that.

So being the 4th machine, does this make it a $15,000 machine or a $5,000 machine?
Does a low serial number really increase the value 3 fold, and would 501 therefore be valued at $20,000?

I would expect that the least expensive Period machines like the Chippendale No. 2 sold in slightly larger numbers than some of the more expensive models and therefore todays value would be significantly less. I don't think there would be any difference in value between the 3rd one off the line and the 5th (condition being the same).