The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Folks,
If you have a player from Chicago such as Vitanola, Cheney etc.. and you need ornamental trim, contact the below company. They made much of the original ornamental trim for these machines and still have the original molds to make exact copies. I had a Vitanola back in the 1970s and called them out of the blue to possibly purchase trim that was close as possible to the original. I was shocked to find out they had the original patterns! They use a mix of resin and wood pulp to create the trim. The patterns even allow for small tack nails to be used.

http://www.decoratorssupply.com/store/main.aspx

Thanks

Steve Andersen

They also supplied the fleur-de-lis grills for H-19 Diamond Disc machines!

John M

How on earth did you find out about this company making such things, even the fleur de lis grills? I'd have thought all such companies would have gone out of business years ago.

Valecnik wrote:How on earth did you find out about this company making such things, even the fleur de lis grills? I'd have thought all such companies would have gone out of business years ago.

Just by luck!

I had a Vitanola that was missing trim pieces on the doors so I looked in the phonebook under furniture repair and found them. (before internet) My intentions were to strip all of the original trim off and replace with something different but as close to original as possible. The gentleman on the phone told me to bring an example in of what I was looking for. I visited the place and they took the piece I had and found the original molds and showed them to me! They have a huge library of wood molds of all types of decorative trim. It is an amazing place to see!

Steve Andersen

That was good hunting on your part, Steve. Decorator's Supply has been a known quantity in phono circles for years so for you to find it on your own is pretty cool!

John M

I have a double door Vitanola and would love some information about it. I know to some the Vitanola are junk but to me I cherish my machine. It is in really great condition plus the serial/model plates look brand new as does the Vitanola decal. Just like information if anyone can help please..

pandawolf-09 wrote:I have a double door Vitanola and would love some information about it. I know to some the Vitanola are junk but to me I cherish my machine. It is in really great condition plus the serial/model plates look brand new as does the Vitanola decal. Just like information if anyone can help please..

There's an outstanding article on the Antique Phonograph Society web site which discusses off-brand machines. Be sure to read the body of the article, as it offers a good perspective on the genre. Vitanola is included in the listing of known brands (#402) and there's a nice advertisement too. The first Vitanola advertisement in The Talking Machine World appeared in February 1915.

http://www.antiquephono.org/brand-talki ... j-wakeman/

George P.

Here you go....." As Good As Any.Better Than Many". "Snappy designs" AND "Wide-Awake dealers". What kind of dealer was this anyway.. .

I think my Magnola from Chicago, had some kind of cabinet moulding on the front door and drawers. If I contact them do I tell them I have a Magnola?