The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

We all know that expression.....right???.
I should buy a lottery ticket. At least that's how I feel right now. Most of the members know that a lady sold me three machines the other day. In my mind that was a great stroke of luck.....three in one shot.
Or so I thought........Today, the lady called and said her Sister has a machine as well and would like to know if I would like to see it and maybe buy it??. So, like any of us, I said "sure!!".
When I arrived earlier today I was faced with this. Now, in all the years I have been looking for machines I have only had one Victor small mahogany horn. It was a mess that had been stripped and warped, etc... A horn no one would wish to display. I got rid of that horn years ago. Today was the second time to have the chance to own one. However,it was attached to a very mint Victor 4. The case is virtually blemish free. Now we all know how hard that can be with mahogany.
It turns out the Sister has kept this machine in a closet for over 45 years. All those years and it just sat hidden away.
I made a deal for it straight away. In truth, I was willing to pay whatever the lady said. I did not care. I had to have this.
The grain on the case lid is so beautiful.This has to be the cleanest untouched Victor I have ever found without question.
All I have done to this machine before I took these quick pics was wipe it down.
I just hope the year keeps going like this.... .
I think I'm still in shock!!!!.... .

You should play the lottery. What luck you're having. Beautiful machine!!

Wowzers!

I think I better unplug my phone.... . It's filling up fast around here. I took a couple of pics of the motor and bottom. Again, a piece of thin cardboard in the bottom. I guess the factory placed these in the machines as a grease catcher...??. It also seems to have a name on the bottom. I wonder if that is the original owner??. Now I have to decide.....do I polish (lightly) the case and the nickel hardware. Or do I just leave this one as found???. There is a film residue on the case and hardware. Probably from years of people smoking..... What do others think??.

Good grief, what an instant collection you've gotten. Way to go Wayne!!

Steve

It's times like this that make worthwhile the months/years of finding nothing! Way to go - -

George P.

Simply amazing finds. Congratulations indeed!

As for cleaning, a matter of personal preference. I would give it a very gentle cleaning just to get the smoke film off it.

Congratulations again. What we all dream of.

Clay

If I were you, I would definitely be playing the lottery. Then again, by some people's standards, you have already hit the lottery!

WOW, You lucky devil You have already won the lottery, well done mate. Gordon

First, thanks to all for the kind words expressed on the threads I posted from this last big find. I decided to give the machine a light cleaning with oil and the nickel a gentle polish to remove the film covering all the components. I'm not sure if the pics show the difference. However,to me.....it is amazing how it shined up. Based on close inspection....I would have to think this machine saw little use. As stated by me before, we all know how easy it is to bruise mahogany. It's just a soft wood. There is just no normal "handling" marks of any kind on this case one would expect to find. The crazing is barely visible. It must have been kept in an even environment... ????. I hope you all enjoy the pics.