I almost hate to ask: Fair price on a VV-XI ?

[De Soto Frank]

I was out spelunking today, and came across several Victrolas at a local antique co-op.

A friend who collects records, and who has a nice Columbia "Eclipse", has expressed interest in a Victrola, so I have been keepign an eye out for one on his behalf.

I have suggested to him that a Victrola XI floor model would be an excellent machine, w/o being so rare as to break the bank.

So, one of the machines I saw today is a VV-XI, in brown mahogany, s/n 7127xx, dated 1918 on the license label, 1920 according to Victor-Victrola Page. Fat arm, Victor # 2, first-style auto-brake (trigger "fingers" broken-off), small-window speed indicator. Decent TT felt, missing motorboard knobs and screws, and used-needle cup. Nickel plating will probably buff-up okay.

The threaded winding-key socket came-out the side with the winding-key and escutcheon: looks like the pin is sheared.

I back-wound the turn-table, and it showed evidence that the springs and works might be okay.

The Veneer is tight, but there are numerous dings on the raised mouldings, and the finish may or or may-not be able to be revived.

It shows the typical crazing.


They are asking $195, which I think would be reasonable for a presentable, ready-to-enjoy mahogany XI.


What is a reasonable ball-park figure for this machine, considering the negatives I have enumerated above ? I have no doubt that it can be made into a fully functional machine...


Thinking of going back with an offer...

[oldphonographsteve]

I think that $195 seems to be a rather low price compared to others. I got my VV-XI for $400 and was rather satisfied at that price, even though it might have been a little high. I would say that it $195 is a practical price as long as the damage isn't too major, but the cost of parts can add up.
Hope that helped!

[gramophone78]

Frank, I can't resist..."don't ask!!!"...... . Now you like most of us know the answer to your question........Whatever you are happy in paying.... .

[52089]

The mahogany XI is extremely common. It seems like pretty much everybody's grandparents had one!

Try Craigslist and you'll probably find better examples for much less than $195.

[De Soto Frank]

As 52089 pointed-out, the XI is one of Victor's most prolific machines... so they're not "priceless" by any means...

I thought I was doing pretty good when I acquired a decent golden-oak XI from 1918 for about $125, ten years ago... it needed a spring and relube, but aside from being very dirty ( coal soot and cinders ), the cabinet is in excellent shape, needing nothing aside from a good cleaning.


I'm thinking of offering $100 on the machine in question. The worst they can do is say "no"; the second-worst is to say "yes"...

[FloridaClay]

For the machine you describe, $100 seems a fair offer to me. The XIs are so common there will be others if they turn you down.

Clay

[gramophone78]

As my Father used to say....."you can always go up, just not down". I would start at $75 and work my way up to $100. It's only money.... .

[soundgen]

Mckeown’s Law adapted from the Camera collectors book which is very true !!

McKeown's Law of collecting

1) The price of an antique or collectable is entirely dependant upon the moods of the buyer and seller at the time of the transaction .

2) If you pass up the chance to buy an item you really want , you will never have that chance again .

3) If you buy an item because you know that you will never have that chance again , a better example of the same item will be offered to you a week later for a much lower price !!

[Hailey]

I wish to whole-heartingly agree with the sentiments reflected in the comments of soundgen's post. And furthermore...never be shy or apologetic regarding an inquiry that you may have...beit concerning an item valued at 25K or $25. As tenured collectors, we must be willing to pass the torch to those that have lesser knowledge, yet the desire to preserve the past. I will never forget the day that I stood in absolute awe as I gazed at the first Edison Standard that I laid eyes on...thinking, all the time, that I would NEVER be able to own "one of those". Now, nearly 35 years later, you will not find an Edison Standard in my home. However, I have acquired, and subsequently passed on scores of them to collectors who once, as I did, proclaim that I will never be able to own one of those.
I envy you for your naivete. I applaud your choice to collect!

[HisMastersVoice]

Mckeown’s Law adapted from the Camera collectors book which is very true !!

McKeown's Law of collecting

1) The price of an antique or collectable is entirely dependant upon the moods of the buyer and seller at the time of the transaction .

2) If you pass up the chance to buy an item you really want , you will never have that chance again .

3) If you buy an item because you know that you will never have that chance again , a better example of the same item will be offered to you a week later for a much lower price !!

So true!