The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have come to notice a significant difference in the detail in the scrolling work on some Victor back brackets. As you can see, in each picture there is one that is very thin and delicate, and the other much less so. When I first got my second Victor 1 bracket, I chalked up the difference to it must being the less delicate being a later decal of questionable quality, even though there was no clear evidence it was a decal or that the bracket was anything but original. Now I have picked up a second larger bracket and noticed the same phenomenon...still no indication of either a decal or any restoration. Has an else noticed this? Is there really that much of a difference between bracket? Is it a time period thing? I'm finding it harder to believe they're not original, and while it's hard to tell, I think I've even seen the difference on eBay auctions.

Zep,
They are done by hand. So it makes sense there were differences in brushes, skill level of the artisans doing such fine work. Look at it and appreciate it, don't over think it - they are all beautiful! John

Sometimes, I just can't help overthinking things

My initial concern was in terms of which one to actually use for my Vic 1 (I actually need both of the larger ones for machines I own), and if I was going to sell the one that was a little less refines, I didn't wanted to make sure I didn't misrepresent anything. We already have enough shady sellers out there that are willing to sell the worst hack jobs as original, authentic, and untouched, and I have no desire to add to that.

I guess my experience had been that the Victor company was so good at maintaining consistency and high quality, I had a little trouble accepting that there could be that much difference between two original parts.

Perhaps I do need to relax a little and just enjoy them for what they are.

Apparently, Canadian tastes at the time were a little different. Examples I've seen had a very simple gold stripe with an odd zig-zag pattern at the ends.