The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

There is a second record cabinet that I picked up with the help of the same friend who got me the Douglas Phonograph Company cylinder cabinet discussed in another thread and at the same auction. It is a "continuation" type disc record cabinet meant to have a table top phonograph place in the inset in the top of it. The design is such that that the molding on top of the cabinet has the same pattern as the molding on the bottom of the phonograph, giving an illusion that the cabinet and the phonograph are one when the phonograph is in place. It has two internal compartments, one divided for individual records, and the other open for albums.

I had seen this one in the advertising for the auction and thought it might take my Victor III, but it doesn't. The opening in the top, which is 12" x 12", is too small. I am guessing it may be intended for a Victor I, which has a base that size. If so, I may hang on to it as having an oak Victor I is on my "bucket" list for when my budget will stand the freight later on.

I am in the process of cleaning it up. It had been in a shed or barn somewhere, as the hardware was rusted and corroded and the shellac on the top is black and like tar. The hardware is now off to Nashville plating. I haven't decided yet whether to refinish the wood or leave it alone. (The finish, originally golden oak, is worse than it looks in the pictures.) I am working my way through Talking Machine World to see if I can spot it in an ad, but no luck yet. There is nothing on the cabinet anywhere to indicate who the maker was.

So questions are:

1. Does anybody have any info about this cabinet?
2. If anybody has one, or is familiar with it, am I correct that it was made for a Victor I?

Thanks all,

Clay

I believe it's a matching cabinet for a plain case Victor II. If you'll send your mailing address, I'll send a catalog showing all the cabinets as well as Victor machines. Jerry Blais

Jerry B. wrote:I believe it's a matching cabinet for a plain case Victor II. If you'll send your mailing address, I'll send a catalog showing all the cabinets as well as Victor machines. Jerry Blais

Thanks Jerry. PM sent.

Clay

If the recessed portion is square, it's for a Victor. I've seen a very similar cabinet, made by the same manufacture, that was slightly deeper than it was wide, and I believe it was for a VV-VIII. Jerry

You are having awesome cabinet luck.

James.

Yes James. The chances of those showing up at an auction here in "Mayberry" are pretty slim. And I wouldn't even know about the auction if it were not for a friend putting me on to it and then watching out for things for me when I was unable to attend. Those are the kind of friends to have!

Clay

After several dry years, I too have been blessed with three cabinets this year, two via craigslist , and one via a friend.

James.

You may be on to something Jerry about it being for a Vic II. Looking through The Victor Data Book, I notice that the Vic II cabinet size varied with subtypes over the years. The Type M might be a good candidate, as it's 11 ¾ x 11 ¾. After that the base is too big to fit the cabinet indention.

Clay

Well done Clay. Like James, you too may be blessed. If you ever what to part if that....give me a PM.
I need more cabinets and less machines... .

I have the same cabinet and it is "tha cabinet that Matches" for a victor II even though these cabinets has the fluted columns. It may have been originally designed for a humpback but I have never seen one with a small enough recessed area to accept a humpback. my regular victor II looks awesome on it. it is a finecabinet to have. Now you have to get a II! John