Recently Acquired Electrola

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Out of curiosity, do all of these Victrola's with the electric motor option actually have a retractable power cord, or is there just a plug stuck partially recessed in the back of it? On every one I have ever owned, I could never remove the plug from the back of the machine, so I just get a 3' extension cord, and run it from the back of the machine to the outlet. I don't know if there just isn't a retractable line cord there, or if something has swollen, or what. Always wondered.

[Silvertone]

Based upon my observations, the early Electrolas used the regular crank escutcheon on the back panel and the cord came through there. There was also a spring that was used as a strain relief for the cord. I believe that the cord was about 10 feet long originally. If you encounter shorter ones today, then it is because the original was shortened or replaced. Electrical receptacles were not as conveniently located in those days. Although you could push the cord into the cabinet, I don't think that it was intended to be "retractible". After a few years, Victor started using a cord that could be unplugged from the Electrola. There was a male plug mounted just inside the cabinet and a large hole in the back panel allowing you to plug in the cord.