The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

the seller got back to me and has also posted an additional photo of that label, which provides no indication as to the finish. ugh. regardless, it's a beautiful machine, and such expressive grain in any sort of walnut finish seems even more easy on the eyes when on models like that 130 with the curving, serpentine front and sides.

I agree, Brian. Whatever wood it is, it's gorgeous.

George P.

I am going to have a look at it tomorrow since its 13 miles from my house. Too bad it is not one of those $20 versions like George talks about.

Isn't it funny that nobody here seems to know for sure whether it's Circassian or American walnut, including me, without the benefit of an original label but yet that determination supposedly makes a big difference in the value

I cant say I've seen either walnut in person (and known which I was looking at), but judging from the photos, George's machine appears to have much darker viens running through the timber.
I guess it's another case where examining the machine in person might be the only way to determine exactly which walnut variety was used on the ebay machine.
Could the absents of "Circassian" on the label mean it is in fact American walnut, or do these usually include the word "American" on the label where George's says Circassian?

yes, I think the darker, more pronounced veins in the grain help to differentiate. also, were circassian or american walnut cabinets solid wood or just veneered like the rest? I can't remember my american walnut XVI, but I remember someone telling me at some point that one of those types was solid as opposed to just a fine veneer over the cheaper wood. I may be wrong on that though.

The carcase sides are veneer as are other broad expanses such as the top of the lid. The carcase frame is solid. It would be difficult if not impossible to find solid boards that wide, and they would warp, cup, twist, and split over time if they were. Also, the economics of expensive woods demands veneers.

I could be wrong, but I think highly figured grains of any species are obtained by cutting the veneer from the circumference of a log (think toilet paper roll), so it would be quite difficult if not impossible to cut large flat spans of timber that way while retaining such decorative grain patterns.
You'd probably get a similar effect on the outer curvature of the lid, or on carvings down the legs, but generally speaking, flat straight cuts would probably have a much plainer straighter overall grain, perhaps with an occasional deviation or knot where a branch grew from the main trunk.
And as John said, the nature of the grain would lead to warping and splitting etc, if it were sold. To overcome that, the timber would need to be a few inches thick and very well seasoned.

brianu wrote: I thought it was pretty standard for that label with the patent information to also indicate what finish the particular machine was given... it's certainly indicated on all my other victor machines.

Not on my VV-XI (1917) plain vanilla (oops, mahogany) machine. And the label is totally intact, too. I really should try to copy it on the flatbed scanner (label is affixed to the removable back panel) so I would have a copy for the files.

antique1973 wrote:I am going to have a look at it tomorrow since its 13 miles from my house. Too bad it is not one of those $20 versions like George talks about.

Did you ever get to see it ??


Nipper