The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Thanks for accepting me into your forum. I recently acquired a beautiful Victor which has been in the family since it was new. I will try to add a photo of the complete phonograph and another of the label. First I thought the label listed model as V10V but a closer look and the second character is an I. Makes no sense as the only VI Victors I can find on the net have gold plating and this is a standard oak cabinet similar to that of a Victor V. Wooden horn is beautiful and the machine is of extremely nice condition and all original. It plays great! I'm very curious about the model and wonder if anyone can date it with the serial number 26527. There is a sticker on the bottom of the cabinet but the corner which should have a date is missing. Thanks very much to anyone who can give me information about this machine.

The tag says “VIC V” as in Victor V

"Vic. V" on my machine too. Your "c" does look like an "o".

Thanks for the very quick reply’s solving my mystery. Much appreciated. If possible dating it would be handy to figure out family members who would have used it. Thanks again.

Your Victor was made in 1907.

What a nice looking Victor V. I love the horn and wondered if it's a faux oak horn made with paper products to very closely resemble real wood. Regardless, it's a stunning outfit. Congratulations!

Jerry Blais

I agree with Jerry- Looks like an early fiber or paper mache horn that is wood grained-- and it's BEAUTIFUL!! Really nice looking machine, Sherwoodm !!

Brad Abell

Jerry B. wrote:What a nice looking Victor V. I love the horn and wondered if it's a faux oak horn made with paper products to very closely resemble real wood. Regardless, it's a stunning outfit. Congratulations!

Jerry Blais

Jerry, it looks like a wood grained paper horn to me as well. Unless the photo is deceptive, the edges are far too thin to be wood, and the sheen is different. This would make it more interesting in my opinion. Nice machine either way!

Thanks again for all the information. Regarding the horn, I had wondered about this as it doesn’t really look like wood but I have searched the net and was not able to find information about any other material being used. I would appreciate a link if there is more information out there. Horn is very solid And I wondered if it might be Bakelite with a faux finish. It’s amazing the machine and horn has survived so many years and is in such nice condition. A third cousin had this machine which I think was purchased new by my great grandparents. It was destined to be sold by an auction gallery but when she found I was interested she offered it to me for a price I couldn’t resist. It’s a really impressive piece!

It is just so nice to have a piece that has been in the family since it was new. I'm glad you were able to continue the family history by taking possession of the machine. Six months before the phonograph bug bit me (1976) my great aunt paid someone to take away a nice Diamond Disc machine that was purchased when she was a young teen (she was born 1904). I would have loved to have a family piece in my collection. Congrats on a beautiful machine with lots of history.

Brad Abell