Featured Phonograph No.501, Victor Victrola VV-230, Type A, Circassian Walnut
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2023 10:33 am
Make: Victor Talking Machine Co.
Model: VV-230 Type A
Serial #: 3568
Year(s) Made: 1922-1924
Year Produced: 1923
Original Cost: $375.00-$440.00
Case/Cabinet Size: 36 ¾” tall, 39 ¼” wide and 24 ½” deep
Turntabe: 12"
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Vtla No.2
Motor: quadruple spring
Horn Dimensions: 14 ½" wide x 14 ¼" tall
Reproduction Parts: front part of the left, front lower leg, (facing the machine).
Current Value: open for discussion
Interesting Facts: This was Victor’s top level regular production machine. This machine was probably a special order with some unusual features. The VV-230 typically came with all hardware being gold plated, but the crank, knobs, escutcheons and key on this machine are all “antiqued”, (the appearance is somewhere between oiled Bronze or antiqued Brass). The 12” albums appear to be repurposed “Period” machine albums, (a circular letter is adhered over the original letter). The 10” albums have the adhered circle, but there is nothing beneath it. Circassian Walnut was not available in the US after 1917, but this machine was built in 1923.
The lower, front part of the carved left foot was missing, (the surface was perfectly flat, so i assume the the legs were always “built up”). I had a piece of figured wallet from an early Victorian piece of furniture, so I carved a new one, (mostly with a sharp chisel, files and sandpaper). I adhered the copy after about four hours of fussing with it. It took about three more hours to get it just as I wanted it. I am happy with the result, but I think that Victor would have fired me for being so slow..
An added bonus was finding the original box of documents that included an original 230 manual and a Victor catalog. This one turns 100 this year.
After the loss of all of the Archive Featured Phonographs photographs, I am in hopes that we can start over. In the Victor tradition, I began with No.501.
Model: VV-230 Type A
Serial #: 3568
Year(s) Made: 1922-1924
Year Produced: 1923
Original Cost: $375.00-$440.00
Case/Cabinet Size: 36 ¾” tall, 39 ¼” wide and 24 ½” deep
Turntabe: 12"
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Vtla No.2
Motor: quadruple spring
Horn Dimensions: 14 ½" wide x 14 ¼" tall
Reproduction Parts: front part of the left, front lower leg, (facing the machine).
Current Value: open for discussion
Interesting Facts: This was Victor’s top level regular production machine. This machine was probably a special order with some unusual features. The VV-230 typically came with all hardware being gold plated, but the crank, knobs, escutcheons and key on this machine are all “antiqued”, (the appearance is somewhere between oiled Bronze or antiqued Brass). The 12” albums appear to be repurposed “Period” machine albums, (a circular letter is adhered over the original letter). The 10” albums have the adhered circle, but there is nothing beneath it. Circassian Walnut was not available in the US after 1917, but this machine was built in 1923.
The lower, front part of the carved left foot was missing, (the surface was perfectly flat, so i assume the the legs were always “built up”). I had a piece of figured wallet from an early Victorian piece of furniture, so I carved a new one, (mostly with a sharp chisel, files and sandpaper). I adhered the copy after about four hours of fussing with it. It took about three more hours to get it just as I wanted it. I am happy with the result, but I think that Victor would have fired me for being so slow..
An added bonus was finding the original box of documents that included an original 230 manual and a Victor catalog. This one turns 100 this year.
After the loss of all of the Archive Featured Phonographs photographs, I am in hopes that we can start over. In the Victor tradition, I began with No.501.