The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi,

Just dropping in to say hello. I just started phonograph collecting this winter. I started with a later VV-IX that I bought from a local collector. Then I got interested in repairing them, rebuilt one VV-50 motor, and replaced a broken main-spring on another, rebuilt a few different types of reproducers.

Based on what I'm reading I plan on attending the Wayne, NJ Phonograph show in April. Recently I purchased my first external horn phonograph on Ebay. I'm sure I'll have some questions once it arrives. It is what appeared to me to be an original Victor II humpback with the standard black/brass horn.

Link to auction -> http://www.ebay.com/itm/111935492886

I took some pictures of my starter collection to share, I also bought about 300 records which I'm still going through, matching them up to what's in my catalogs.

-Mike

Hi Mike! Welcome to the hobby and to the forum.

The segue from music boxes to antique phonographs is natural if you're drawn to the more "human" aspects of them (best represented by the recordings). There's plenty to attract the mechanically-minded, as you've already seen. Some of the more intricate early phonographs are as much fun to watch as they are to hear. If you haven't already discovered it, the Antique Phonograph Society maintains an interesting website with many articles on various levels, plus a large library of videos showing interesting phonographs in operation. You can see it all (and join if you wish!) here:

http://www.antiquephono.org/

I've never seen a Silvertone portable like yours. Victrola IXs are real workhorses, and a great machine to cut your teeth on. It's nice to find one in oak. VV-50s are fun little machines, and there was a thread here some time ago that revealed a surprising number of variations. Congratulations on your new Victor II. Be sure to post some photos of it when you can.

George P.

Mike,
Welcome to the phonograph collecting hobby. I have enjoyed this hobby for over 30 years and met some great people.
I would highly recommend you check out the Antique Phonograph Society mentioned by George. It is very worthwhile and informative. Congrats on your Victor II. This is one of my favorite Victors. Please share some pictures of it when you receive it.
Ken

phonogfp wrote: VV-50s are fun little machines, and there was a thread here some time ago that revealed a surprising number of variations.

And here it is:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... w=previous

Welcome aboard. Your home is about to get smaller.... Cheers


Bill K

The humpback Victor II is a very attractive machine and a good performer. It will be a nice addition to your collection. Jerry Blais

Hi,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I'll check out the Antique Phonograph Society. I posted up my lower serial # VV-50 to to linked thread. Looking forward to contributing where I can. I think the generic portable I have is actually a Carryola, it was in bad shape so it would have normally been covered with some type of fabric. The Silvertone reproducer on it actually came off one of the VV-50's I fixed. The Carryola came to me with a later style Victor Exhibition reproducer.

-Mike

melbourne wrote: I think the generic portable I have is actually a Carryola, it was in bad shape so it would have normally been covered with some type of fabric. The Silvertone reproducer on it actually came off one of the VV-50's I fixed. The Carryola came to me with a later style Victor Exhibition reproducer.

-Mike

Aha - thanks. I'm not highly conversant on portables, but that one definitely looked different!

George P.

Hello Mike and welcome to the forum. This hobby is very rich with interesting information and lots of really fantastic machines. I enjoy playing records on my machines as much as just displaying them in my home.

Hi Mike

Welcome to TMF I Hope to See you in Wayne. You will be in heaven there if you start collecting external horn machines. This is a fun hobby and that's what counts in the end.

Kevan