The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all. I am knew to the group and I am very glad to be here. I am hoping to find out if the Victrola I own is authentic.
This may be a dumb question and I apologize ahead of time if it is.
Is there anyone here who is very knowledgeable about Victrola's?

I will wait for an answer before I post pictures is what I have.

Thank you in advance!!
Derek

Derek,

There are thousands of people on this forum who are knowledgeable of Victrolas. You can also check this web site:

http://www.victor-victrola.com/

Post your pictures here and you'll receive a lot of help.

George P.

Derek,
Welcome to the Talking Machine Forum. It is best to post pictures so everyone can see what you are talking about.
Ken

Welcome!

We have some very knowledgeable collectors on this Forum; so go ahead and post your photos.

Bill

As we wait for Derek to post a photo of his "Victrola", I wonder about the use of the word itself. If you ask for a Kleenex you are asking for a tissue. When did the word "Victrola" become generic for talking machines in general? There is little doubt that Victor changed the entire industry with the introduction of the VTLA. If you lived in a town that had a general store that carried the Brunswick line and you made a purchase, did you tell your friends that you bought a new "victrola?" Or is it a more recent use of the word? When someone asks about your hobby do you reply that you collect victrolas? I suppose a "victrola" collector could collect a variety of makes while a "Victrola" collector could be focused on Victor Victrolas. As we wait for Derek's photo, what do others think?

Jerry B.

Jerry B. wrote:As we wait for Derek to post a photo of his "Victrola", I wonder about the use of the word itself. If you ask for a Kleenex you are asking for a tissue. When did the word "Victrola" become generic for talking machines in general?

By the late teens Victor was using advertising slogans such as "Be Sure It Is a Victrola," and of course, "Look For The Dog." Generic use of the term "Victrola" is over a century old.

...And I'm suspecting the same thing you are, Jerry!

George P.

Coming originally from Europe I usually say phonographs and gramophones. Only when I get the blank stare I remember to mention Victrolas, which at least some people seem to remember. Of course, that includes everything with a crank that makes music
Occasionally people remember only RCA Victrolas from the 40s or 50s, then it pretty much includes everything that plays a disc record.

Funny enough, often the reaction to seeing a cylinder phonograph play appears similar to what Edison must have experienced, close to a magic trick. With everything electronic now fewer and fewer people seem to have an understanding of mechanical possibilities.

Andreas

I have contacted Derek and he does own a Victrola X.

So the "big mystery" is solved.

So the "big mystery" is solved.

Maybe, maybe not... I have an assortment of ID tags, a little hammer, and some small nails. What would you like? We could take any talking machine make it a Victor II, an Amberola 1-A, or perhaps a VV-XII. Without a photo it is hard to tell.

Even if it is a VV-X, is it the very early and unusual table model X, or perhaps the desirable open sided X. A VV-X can be quite interesting or somewhat ordinary.

Jerry B.