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My First Upright: A VV-XVI

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 2:27 pm
by benjaminh
I just wanted to take the time to show off my newest acquisition, and my first upright: a VV-XVI, serial # 91245 G
In reply to my post "Where to find Phonographs on the Canadian West Coast?", Wayne (gramophone78) got connected with another Wayne who was looking to sell this phonograph. As a young collector, only in his teens, I really appreciate Wayne's help!

This is an early post L-door model, with the exposed speed readout, and the earlier triple spring motor with direct crank (no gear). Cosmetically it was in great shape, but one mainspring had been broken, and one governor spring broken. I decided to fix that spring instead of replacing it. I annealed the broken end of the spring (unfortunately the inner end), and redrilled the hold, and filed it to shape. I cleaned and regreased all three springs, rebuilt the governor, and cleaned and lubricated all gears and pivots. The motor now runs well, reasonably quietly, and is still plenty powerful.

This phonograph also came with some neat extras: the original receipt, the instructions for the automatic brake, the original gold Exhibition reproducer box, and two packages of original needles. It has the Berliner Gramophone tag, and was sold by J. J. H McLean & Co.

Wayne found the family history of the original owner, James Angus, which is as follows:

JAMES ANGUS
My father, James Angus, came to Canada with his parents in 1883. They homesteaded in the Scotia district N.W. 6-13-24. He returned to Scotland in the fall of 1890 and came back to Canada in the spring of 1891. My mother, then Margaret Murdock, came to Canada in July 1891, arriving at Virden on July 26. They were married in Breadalbane Church on July 29, 1891, the late Dr. Robertson, D.D., performing the ceremony.
They lived on the homestead until the fall of 1939 when they moved to Hamiota. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1941.
They raised a family of five daughter and two sons. Ethel, Mrs. Bernie Strachan who has a family of six girls and two boys; Margaret, Mrs. Duncan Smith (deceased 1942); a family of two boys; Lena, Mrs. John Holland - family of two boys; William (deceased 1916); Marie, Mrs. Alf Gray; James; and Alma, Mrs. George Butler — a family of one girl and one boy. The family attended Palmerston School with the younger members attending Crandall after it consolidated in 1918.
My father passed away on June 28, 1945 and Mother on March 28, 1965, at the age of ninety-seven.
I, their son James, took over the farm 6-13-24 in 1939. In December, 1939, I married Constance Rudd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W.B. Rudd of Crandall. We raised a family of three - two sons and one daughter. Wayne, now living at Pope, 8-13-24, married Doreen Kirk, daughter of Mr. Wilmot Kirk and the late Mrs. Kirk of Hamiota.
Barry, now living in Crandall, married Adrienne Reed, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Reed of Birtle. Lynn Marie has been accepted by Winnipeg General Hospital School of Registered Nursing for the class beginning September 2, 1970.



So here are the pics (which really don't do it justice):
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I will also be looking for the complete lettered album set; if any of you have a set you're willing to part with, I would be interested in purchasing it...

Benjamin

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XIV

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 2:34 pm
by phonogal
Very nice machine there and so interesting that you know it's history.

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XIV

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 2:37 pm
by barnettrp21122
Congratulations, Benjamin, on finding such a nice machine with interesting provenance! I hope you find a lot of enjoyment with it!
Bob

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XIV

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 2:50 pm
by gramophone78
Ben, you did a great job of making her gleam. Just one thing though....it is a XVI or Victrola 16 not a XIV or Victrola 14.. ;).

The original receipt was a real bonus. Glad I could hook you up with the seller.

I actually have a needle tin from this Winnipeg dealer J.J.H. McLean & Co. This dealership recently went bankrupt. It was a long standing institution in Winnipeg. The original building was destroyed by fire in the early 1950's.
JJH Needle Tin (1).JPG

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XIV

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:04 pm
by Phono-Phan
WOW!!! Very nice. Congratulations. There are some great people in this hobby and forum. I am sure that you will enjoy this Victrola for many years.

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XIV

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:08 pm
by oldphonographsteve
Benjamin, this is an absolutely beautiful example of a Victrola XVI. It is also a nice plus knowing who the original owner was! As a teenage collector myself, it is really nice to see others my age interested in antique talking machines. :)

-Steve

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XIV

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:15 pm
by marcapra
Excellent condition XVI!!! I am not sure if you said you are a teenager or Wayne is a teenager, but whomever is a teenager, it's great that some young people are getting the phonograph bug! Marc.

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XVI

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:46 pm
by benjaminh
Thanks Wayne for the correction; I realise that it should be XVI and have corrected it. I really don't know why I typed it that way...

Steve: It certainly is nice to see that there are some young people that are interested in items of days gone by...

Marc: I'm the teenager, not Wayne :)

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XVI

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:04 pm
by FloridaClay
Congratulations. The XVIs are really nice machine and you have a fine example.

Clay

Re: My First Upright: A VV-XVI

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:11 pm
by fran604g
I'll add my "congratulations", too! These are fantastic machines for young collectors just starting out, I know; I was 55 when I got mine. ;)

I still love mine, though it's getting discriminated against by the ever-growing Diamond Disc Phonograph mob. :lol:

Fran