The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Normally I don't bother with these things. However, I think this Victor oil bottle with wood container was never opened or even used.... . Clearly the owner of that machine had no concerns for "lubrication"..... . At least they keep this in good condition. From the many of these I have seen over the years.....the label was to be cut (in the middle) in order to open. As luck would have it.....the label just slid down and remained undamaged. Neat display piece just the same.

The really interesting thing to me about this great find is the label wording on the bottle, "Radio-victor Corporation [of America?]," which I have never seen before. Is this an early name for RCA-Victor? IIRC the merger occurred in 1929. The motor oil packaging (wooden container, glass bottle and cork) suggests to me to an older style, and earlier date, than that!

Henry wrote:The really interesting thing to me about this great find is the label wording on the bottle, "Radio-victor Corporation [of America?]," which I have never seen before. Is this an early name for RCA-Victor? IIRC the merger occurred in 1929. The motor oil packaging (wooden container, glass bottle and cork) suggests to me to an older style, and earlier date, than that!

I'm not sure. I know these exact bottles with the same wooden container were also sold by typewriter company's with their corresponding label(s). I have always wondered if these were actually "sample" bottles. Given the size (or lack of)......... not a lot of oiling could be done.
Anyone know ?.

These bottles cam with Victor products when new along with a small tube of "Victor Motor Grease". My 10-50 came with all of this stuff. The Radio Victor Corporation designation appeared for a short time on Victor products like this and also the Scroll label discs for a short period in 1929.

Sean

Long ago, I bought an 8-30X for cheep (they were about to toss it) and upon removing the back panel, I found a box of goodies which apparently had never been touched: oil, grease, instruction book, sample packs of needles and even a plug-to-screw-in adapter for attaching to a light socket! Most likely put there & forgotten by the dealer, because it included a record cleaner from the local department store: J.N.Adam.

I want to open the wooden 'can' to see if the oil still looks good, but then it wouldn't be "mint condition" - guess I'm just like the model collectors who NEVER open a retail package !