The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I hadn't seen your post, Victor, when I made my last post. Thank you . I did understand part of what was being said but definitely not as clearly as you put it.

I have an early VV-VI with a wooden horn similar to this one. There are three sides to it. The bottom board slides into grooves on either side to form the horn. The bottom board also looks a bit narrow now; not a tight fit. But that is not a sign of poor acoustic design. Wood shrinks across the grain, which is what has probably happened to the bottom board of my horn, and what was a tight 100 years ago, no longer is. The crank is an early female crank.

Cut and paste. I know there's another way though, a better way. Anyhow, I think that is what this has. Can you post a pic?
Is this one a female crank?

To quote a post, just hit the quote button at the bottom of that post. You can then delete what you don't want and add your comment under it. Hope this helps. Jan

To see if it's a female crank, you have to unwind it, that is rotate it counterclockwise until it disengages and comes out. Then you'll see if it has a screw on the edge (male), or a threaded hole (female).

I would not claim the piece to be Colonial Revival because it has a square tapered leg done in a Hepplewhite manner.

I will have to look that up, Hepplewhite manner. Thank you for that term! I have had a hard time finding others with the straight legs, no frill.
So, based on your comments about the A&C Movement, that must be what (I just looked back at who it was, lol) you and phonogal were saying. Learning more everyday!

Thank you Phonogal and, Marco it is a female crank if that matters...

So... I am still unsure of which model this is? and there seems to be a big discrepancy in whether this has any quality to it... any value
Thoughts??

talking girl wrote:Thank you Phonogal and, Marco it is a female crank if that matters...

So... I am still unsure of which model this is? and there seems to be a big discrepancy in whether this has any quality to it... any value
Thoughts??

As previously mentioned, this is not a model. Nor was it produced by a factory. In my opinion, it is a handyman's attempt at reusing the parts from a old Victor Victrola. I would not be surprised it was done during the depression.

It may have even been a high school wood work project but, I still think it's the work of an above average amateur wood worker.

The cabinet loosely resembles very late Mission style. The presents of a molding not seen on true A&C or Mission furniture really removes it from the style.

Late mission or even oak was already out of favor in homes by the mid 1920's and god ugly walnut was in.

As for value. Since this is a homemade (non-production) marriage it will limit the interest to collectors. However, as a decorative piece.....whatever the market will bare. I would think under $200-$300.

Even the actual Victrola these inner parts are from in decent original condition does not achieve a high dollar. They are very common and a lower end model when new.

I hope your investment is not too high in it.

talking girl wrote:it is a female crank if that matters...

That's almost a pity as it probably means that a rare, "early" Victrola has been altered and fitted inside the furniture back then.

That's a hard question. As said, there is no "model such and such of such make" for this item, as it's a mix & match of parts. I agree with others that the inner gramophone is what remains of what probably was a Victor Vitrola, arguably a model VII or VIII, surely not a model VI or lower.

From one point of view, it would be definitely more collectible if the inner gramophone was still in its correct originary tabletop form. Definitely. As is, it is basically worth the sum of the values of its single parts, disassembled and sold as spares. I'd say 150$, plus something else for the furniture alone.

But on the other hand money is not all in life. That's probably a one-of-a-kind on this Earth; and the furniture, although not factory original, looks good and well made. So if you like it (and if you bought it it means you liked it!) simply enjoy it as the odd, one-of-a-kind piece that it is. Things may be nice and enrich our lives even without a price tag or a brand decal attached to it.

Marco Gilardetti wrote:That's almost a pity as it probably means that a rare, "early" Victrola has been altered and fitted inside the furniture back then.

That's a hard question. As said, there is no "model such and such of such make" for this item, as it's a mix & match of parts. I agree with others that the inner gramophone is what remains of what probably was a Victor Vitrola, arguably a model VII or VIII, surely not a model VI or lower.

From one point of view, it would be definitely more collectible if the inner gramophone was still in its correct originary tabletop form. Definitely. As is, it is basically worth the sum of the values of its single parts, disassembled and sold as spares. I'd say 150$, plus something else for the furniture alone.

But on the other hand money is not all in life. That's probably a one-of-a-kind on this Earth; and the furniture, although not factory original, looks good and well made. So if you like it (and if you bought it it means you liked it!) simply enjoy it as the odd, one-of-a-kind piece that it is. Things may be nice and enrich our lives even without a price tag or a brand decal attached to it.

Well, it would not have been a VV-IV or VI as it was a model that once had a lid; but I don't see anything that suggests it was a rare machine either. With nickel trim it is unlikely that it was a high-end model.

And your last paragraph is right on. A lot more interesting than a run-of-the-mill Victrola IMHO.

Clay

Thank you for your thoughts/opinions!

I know nothing about these either...