The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey guys!

Finally found something locally phono related in CL near me. He says it a 1903 zonophone/victor from right after victor acquired zonophone? He also told me it’s all original restored by Great Lakes Phonographs. I’ve included some pics (only ones he has). Asking price is 800. Thoughts? May offer a trade as I’ve gotten some nice radios from him before it turns out.

Looks like a Victor Junior mated with a (low end) Zonophone back mount and repainted horn. Whether this was put together and sold by Victor after the Zonophone take over is questionable. Others may have more information.

Doug

Just looked at my Victor Jr. and I agree this case is very much like a Jr. The Victor Jr is a front-mount machine. The horn support was secured to the case with two screws. That would have been on the side that now has the back bracket. I'd look to see if the remnants of the holes are present.

Shouldn't the turntable be centered? I really know very little about Zonophone's either.

I can try to get more photos. It doesn’t seem like there are any front holes. I went back and looked at the email, he said it’s an early transition model and it’s basically a victor 1. I’m glad I posted it here, I’m definitely not knowledable on these!

I guess the real question is it worth asking price haha

Shouldn't the turntable be centered? I really know very little about Zonophone's either.

I always check to see if the needle hits the spindle. If it does on this machine my best guess is if the cabinet is new and not drilled for the motor, it would be easy to position the motor so the needle hits the spindle. I suspect they were more concerned about using existing parts rather than making a new back bracket so the turntable could be centered in the cabinet. Just a guess...?

My opinion is the price is on the higher end of reasonable. I do like the machine and find it interesting. Jerry Blais

EarlH wrote:Shouldn't the turntable be centered? I really know very little about Zonophone's either.

All Victor Juniors used an 8 inch turntable that was factory designed and positioned slightly off center versus the cabinet motor board as seen in this particular Victor Junior.

What I believe you have here, as I had mentioned above, is a Victor Junior with a lower end Zonophone back mount and a repainted horn. Since the Victor Junior was a front mount-only machine, someone has added the Zonophone back mount and presumably drilled new holes in the cabinet for same.

Regarding it being a transitional model, I doubt it as when Eldridge Johnson purchased a controlling interest in Universal Talking Machine (Zonophone) he did not mix and match Victor parts with Zonophone parts as far as I am aware. He kept the Zonophone models as they were. If I'm wrong in this please correct me.

The asking price is high considering the Victor Junior cabinet has been modified with the new holes for the Zono back mount. I would recommend not buying this one but that's me.

Doug

This is a legitimate machine, I have owned one before.
The $9.45 OXFORD, looks to be based on the Victor Jr.

Cheers, Bob S.

Cool! Never saw such a machine as this. Thanks for the info Bob!

Doug