Beautiful Victrola XX on Auctionzip

[JerryVan]

Looks like a really nice one! Check it out!

https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/ ... 204BD78D8/

[Raphael]

That's actually mine, I had it consigned to the auction house a while ago, and was the subject of this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=44931


It is also on Live Auctioneers with the same auction house:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/84 ... n-this-was

I had it consigned a while ago to the auctioneer, before all the above mentioned nonsense came about and am honoring my commitment to the auctioneer by not taking it off. If it doesn't sell, it'll stay here in my living room for the indefinite future.

Raphael

[phonogal]

I see this has a starting bid. Does this auction have a reserve? It really is a beauty.

[Skihawx]

In my opinion, which is just my opinion, this machine is very over restored. The gold was never intended to look like this. To me it is very gaudy and looks more like a fantasy piece. How many of these brazen gold "restorations" are out there? Two, now maybe three?? I would much rather have an original. An original XX, with or without a touch of gold, and a little bit of patina, now that is class. 177

[Victrola20]

Over the years I have been the lucky owner of 6 Victrola XX ‘s two of which did not have gold.
All of the claimed experts on victrola XX’s have various opinions on what looks the best and what is original , how much gold and how bright gold etc. I agree that the gold looks gaudy but it is my belief that is what was intended If I knew how to post a picture I would share the beautiful victor add for the XX which shows the gold bright and gaudy. I also recently purchased a XX that had probably 90% of the gold intact and after a little cleaning it was as bright as the example being discussed the finish was also almost perfect and a deep mahogany color. After cleaning it looks very similar to the one being discussed. While we can all have differing opinions as to what these beautiful machines looked like when new but none of us really knows for sure. The only peak we have into this issue of originality is well cared for originals such as I just bought from the original family or from ads that depict the machine at least how the artist at that time saw them. Yes they are gaudy and for that reason many people don’t like them which is ok but they did not come from the factory with dirt and patina they came out with perfect finish’s and gaudy gold. Except for the few that didn’t have gold. In my opinion putting gold on a XX if done properly is not a cardinal sin and certainly no reason to run someone’s machine down I am familiar with this machine and it has the original color and stain and the finish has just been restored and preserved it has not been stripped and refinished. Yes I am partial to the victrola XX in all its gaudiness and don’t mind them looking just like they came out of the factory if the original finish which is usually the case is damaged to the point of distraction petina or no Petina

[apruizii]

Victrola20,

I was lucky to pick up a Victrola XX in July 2019 which has the gold leaf and needs a cleaning. What did you use to clean the gold leaf and the rest of the cabinet of the one you recently purchased?

Did you use the usual GoJo with 0000 wool or something else?

Thanks!

AR

[brianu]

These posts are so useless without photos, which used to be a requirement. Those links often expire, especially for craigslist and eBay.

There was actually an auction for this machine today. The hammer price was 9000, with a 25 percent buyer premium. Apparently there was a reserve if it’s just being resold in May.

[Raphael]

Brian,

The one that was on Live Auctioneers last night didn’t hit the reserve.

As discussed prior, it was acquired by me last year in it’s current condition. If it doesn’t sell at the next auction I am going to keep it for myself. Of the five XX’s I’ve had in recent years, it’s the nicest and I am quite happy with it for myself.

I agree with the prior post that mentioned that machines didn’t leave the factory with dents and patina. I spoke with the person who previously owned this machine, and he told me that it was in sad, sad shape when he got it at Stanton’s, missing trim, veneer lifting, dents, etc. His restorer did a great job, and the original finish was saved. He did add the gold trim, and I was not aware of that fact until just recently. It would not have deterred me from acquiring the machine one bit.


Raphael

[fran604g]

I'm no expert on the topic at hand, by any stretch. But, to the point of the detractors: the Victor VI was produced with gold leaf, and I'm wondering if one is available restored, would they also criticize the finish being pristine after an expert restoration? Just sayin'.

Cheers,
Fran

[Victor VII]

For the record, the Victor VI was NOT produced with gold leaf. The hardware was electro-plated gold. Many/most modern attempts at re-plating the hardware are unsuccessful at creating the particular gold plated finish that Victor put on the VI's. Most of these poor attempts at re-plating result in very bright shiny finishes which are easily recognized as non-original. As current owner of three Victor VI's, I have steered clear of several VI's with bright gold (re-finished, not restored). The Victrola XX in question here has had gold leaf applied recently. The original gold accents on these machine would not have been gold leaf and not shiny bright. Moreover, this particular late serial number example has been seen previously as being one of many late production examples which left the factory with no gold decoration at all. Call it what you will, this is not a restoration which would be an attempt to bring it back to its original appearance.