The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

The veneer patching probably didn't show at all when it was new, but it's just aged differently. I've seen patches like that on Victrolas in mahogany as well. Not so much in oak, but that would be pretty hard to do with the quarter sawed stuff. Burl is nearly always patched on larger pieces.

I refinished a Circassion Walnut Victrola 10-15 years ago and under a lot of the hardware and door bottoms, they had stamped CW by the lot number. The machine I worked on was a XVII so it was a little later than this XVI so maybe they weren't doing it that way on the earlier machines. I've not run across an American Walnut machine to check to see if those got AW, but that was the only thing I could think of. If the doors and such got stacked up at the factory, it would be easy to find what you were looking for with the AW or CW stamped on the ends.

JerryVan wrote:Honestly, is that really Circassian walnut or just burled walnut? I think Circassian would have a more highly figured grain with more color variation.

Circassian has considerable variation in the figures according to the cut and selection- examples can have little or none of the dark streaking, or they can be all over the place. I think Victor made the cases for customers who wanted quiet or bold looks.

Thanks for posting this machine. While I am nowhere near that auction location, I appreciate the heads-up from a fellow member. I believe this hobby could use more people like you.

RP

I'm just going to go out there and say that I didn't appreciate the fact that this Victrola was posted to the forum.

Additionally, I can't name a single instance where this section of the forum has actually proven to be helpful for me.

Feel free to differ.

Garret

Garret wrote:I'm just going to go out there and say that I didn't appreciate the fact that this Victrola was posted to the forum.

Additionally, I can't name a single instance where this section of the forum has actually proven to be helpful for me.

Feel free to differ.

Garret

Well, based on this important information, we should change everything.

Garret wrote:....I can't name a single instance where this section of the forum has actually proven to be helpful for me.

Feel free to differ.

Garret

Not helpful in what sense? Guess it depends on what your purposes are. I, for one, though not at all in the market for a machine, find it most interesting to read about and see pictures of the wide variety of phonographs here. I always learn something every time I visit the board (not that I can remember it all!). So I say to one and all, keep posting these topics, please!

This machine was primarily Circassian Walnut. The label on it said "Circassian and American Walnut." It sold for $2,500 plus 23% buyer's premium and 5% sales tax, or about $3,200. Sounds like full retail on this piece, especially since a nice, clean L-Door entirely Circassian Walnut Victrola sold for $3,500 a couple of years ago.

I was at this auction. I bid on this item but was outbid quickly. It was sold to a phone bidder

The hammer price was $2500, plus the 23% buyers premium, and 6% Michigan sales tax. That's $3259 by my math and who knows if this machine has to be shipped which would be extra.

I checked out the machine and the casters had a bit of surface rust, but they all rolled freely. I couldn't find any water damage but only a bit of light (white) mould that I rubbed off with my finger. I would say the finish was original and in very good shape for its age with only very minor defects which didn't take away from its beauty.

The issues I found were the lid support was broken and when I tried to crank it, it just free wheeled so at minimum the springs needed attention.

It was a nice machine, but more than I was willing to bid. I'm sure whoever gets it will be happy with it.

Mike

Garret wrote:I'm just going to go out there and say that I didn't appreciate the fact that this Victrola was posted to the forum.

Additionally, I can't name a single instance where this section of the forum has actually proven to be helpful for me.

Feel free to differ.

Garret

My suggestion is STOP VISITING THE FORUM. I find it very helpful so I intend to continue to visit it and contribute to it when I come across something interesting.

audiophile102 wrote:

Garret wrote:I'm just going to go out there and say that I didn't appreciate the fact that this Victrola was posted to the forum.

Additionally, I can't name a single instance where this section of the forum has actually proven to be helpful for me.

Feel free to differ.

Garret

My suggestion is STOP VISITING THE FORUM. I find it very helpful so I intend to continue to visit it and contribute to it when I come across something interesting.

Amen. I just purchased a nice machine based on a post very similar to this one. Just sayin'. Thanks for posting-I enjoyed reading about and looking at a machine I will never own.

Matt