You're all probably thinking what I was thinking: "Good luck with that!" But hold on...
Lindy's parents had sold the Victrola at auction, and still retained the auction log. Although the buyer had moved, Lindy was able to track him down through the Internet. Unfortunately, it turned out the buyer had re-sold the Victrola at a parking lot flea market. However (and here's where it gets interesting), the buyer was a Midwest phonograph collector, and he kept a record of the model and the SERIAL NUMBER!
I offered to post Lindy's plea here, in hopes that her needle in a haystack might somehow turn up. For those of you who (like me) have no hope of ever finding the phonographs that belonged to your forebears, I hope you'll root for Lindy. Here's what originally belonged to her grandparents:
Victrola IX................Serial Number: 130235 F
The F variant of the IX was the last of the early-style flat bottom models. I checked one that's here but, although it's an F, it's about 5000 units too early.
Can anyone out there help make Lindy's dream come true?
If so, I'll be very happy to forward your contact information to her. What's more, if you wish to retain a Victrola IX F, I can replace it with one 5000 units earlier.
Can small miracles still happen?
Best to all,
George P.