identification...

[De Soto Frank]

Those Aeolian-Vocalion folio might be worth as much as a machine to a collector looking to complete his A-V machine...

[brianu]

this actually appears to be an early oak table model VV-X - notice the geometric frieze, the grill design, the type of tonearm support, the type of crank and the placement of the needlecup, etc. - that someone butchered and dropped into this cabinet. finding one of those X's in oak has become pretty tough. unfortunately this one's beyond saving. at least it can be appreciated for what it is at this point, if you like the style.

[FloridaClay]

Your record albums are not directly related to your machine being discussed in this thread. The Vocalion was a phonograph made by The Aeolian Company. Here is a link to one of their catalogs, filled with the purple prose descriptions typical of the early 20th century.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/gdc/scd00 ... 1012ae.pdf

There were also Vocalion records.

Likely your albums originally came with someone's Aeolian Vocalion phonograph. The albums are not seen all that often and as someone else mentioned, could have some value.

Clay

[rizbone]

Yep definitely a VV-X tabletop.

[Uncle Vanya]

Looking at the pictures and the horn, it is a VV IX. The lid shown on the first picture is the lid on the cabinet. The original lid was removed from the machine, so it would fit in this cabinet. On the machine by the bracket, there would be a small brass data plate. If there is no data plate, there will be 4 very small holes where the tacks to hold the plate would be. Looking at the schematic of the motor, and the narrow slats on the front, this is an early VV XI from about 1912, possibly 1913. I'm really curious to see what the crank looks like.
Harvey Kravitz

Thank you for your replies! Harvey, this does have a lid. See photo number one in my original post. There is no data plate so I don't know the s/n or model... (an auctioneer told me that the plate could just be missing...) That is what I am trying to get more info on.
Also, from what I have read, the horn could be small and black? Is this true? Its so hard to compare apples to oranges... and make what I have fit with descriptions and then dates and any and all other info. lol. Im hoping you guys who have been at this a lot longer know some other things or other ways to find things out.

I do not believe that it is a VV-IX. Note the "Vee" shaped louvers, the full-length tone arm and the remnants of molding on the crank side of the machine. This appears to be an early VV-X. Still not an awfully scarce machine.

I really like the "Mission" cabinet work, and would not certainly find a place for this interesting machine.

[Phonofreak]

At the time I saw this, the other pictures were not posted. With the later pictures, I see that it is a table top VV X. Since I can see the tab brake, this is from about 1911-12. The other picture showing the "frieze" around the top edge, clarifies this.
Harvey Kravitz

[talking girl]

Those Aeolian-Vocalion folio might be worth as much as a machine to a collector looking to complete his A-V machine...

The Aeolian-Vocalion folio came with the machine. They were bought as a package and there are more single records as well. I know somebody else commented on these not going with this machine... I understand and am glad to know that. It was just all bought together. So clearly the people that had it knew little about it as well.
(I got the single quote thing down now. How do I do double quotes? - quote more than one person in my post?)

Should I start a new thread on this? or continue to discuss this here? I mean..continue to ask all of you guys questions and read your discussion. Sad, but true. All of this does not actually technically belong to me... I am just doing the research for him as I am the one physically with the machine can take pics, examine, etc...

I very much appreciate everyones input on all this! However, I am still lost... X? IX? XI and how significant is this?

Thank you!!

[Lucius1958]

Judging from the geometric trim on the original case, I would have to concur that it is a VV-X.

As for 'significance'? Not extremely high: although the cabinet is most likely a "one-off", there were plenty of home handymen in the early 20th century who wanted to convert older machines into a more 'fashionable' console...

Bill

[gramophone78]

Those Aeolian-Vocalion folio might be worth as much as a machine to a collector looking to complete his A-V machine...

The Aeolian-Vocalion folio came with the machine. They were bought as a package and there are more single records as well. I know somebody else commented on these not going with this machine... I understand and am glad to know that. It was just all bought together. So clearly the people that had it knew little about it as well.
(I got the single quote thing down now. How do I do double quotes? - quote more than one person in my post?)

Should I start a new thread on this? or continue to discuss this here? I mean..continue to ask all of you guys questions and read your discussion. Sad, but true. All of this does not actually technically belong to me... I am just doing the research for him as I am the one physically with the machine can take pics, examine, etc...

I very much appreciate everyones input on all this! However, I am still lost... X? IX? XI and how significant is this?

Thank you!!

I think what you are asking and although several members have explained the Phonograph part of your friends piece was originally a Victor Talking Machine Co. table top Victrola model X (Roman numeral for 10). The model X was a lower/mid range model in Victor's lineup of Phonographs.

Member "rizbone" has posted above what a model X would originally look like.

For one reason or another an owner/handyman at some point decided to break it up and use the inner parts to fit into this large cabinet they either made or..??. This was usually done during a time when these Victrola's were obsolete or of little value. It may have just been an idea/design a period handyman wanted to try and make??.

Unfortunately, doing this has now diminished the value as a collectible "Victor" Phonograph....to most if all Phonograph collectors.

The parts coming from a former model X is of little importance as this is merely a decorative piece and worth whatever a person is willing pay as such.

The record albums are for another manufacture's models and unless a full set.....of minimal value.

There really isn't much else that needs to be "identified". It is what it is.... .

[talking girl]

I think what you are asking and although several members have explained the Phonograph part of your friends piece was originally a Victor Talking Machine Co. table top Victrola model X (Roman numeral for 10). The model X was a lower/mid range model in Victor's lineup of Phonographs.

Member "rizbone" has posted above what a model X would originally look like.

For one reason or another an owner/handyman at some point decided to break it up and use the inner parts to fit into this large cabinet they either made or..??. This was usually done during a time when these Victrola's were obsolete or of little value. It may have just been an idea/design a period handyman wanted to try and make??.

Unfortunately, doing this has now diminished the value as a collectible "Victor" Phonograph....to most if all Phonograph collectors.

The parts coming from a former model X is of little importance as this is merely a decorative piece and worth whatever a person is willing pay as such.

The record albums are for another manufacture's models and unless a full set.....of minimal value.

There really isn't much else that needs to be "identified". It is what it is.... .

Thank you Gramaphone78. I guess because there had been recent talk of it being a 9(IX), 10(X) or 11(XI), I just wanted/needed further clarity.
There has been varying opinions on the whole thing in general as well.
It is still being decided but the local auctioneer is picking up a great majority of the household here on Friday am. This and the Aeolian Vocalian folio and other records may be included in this auction.
I guess now would possibly be a good time to ask about value. Thoughts everyone?
and thank you!