Estimated Value

[LUCKYNEWBIE]

We have a VV-XVI in Circassian Walnut - it was purchased on July 5, 1913 (i have the original receipt from Grinnell Bros) Its in very good shape.

[phonogfp]

How interesting - - Its twin, also in Circassian Walnut, is in my house, serially numbered only 28 later (76975). It lacks the original receipt (darn it!), but its original owners are known. I've owned it since 1967, and it was the first talking machine I bought. Was the pictured Victrola your first too?

In any event, congratulations!

George P.

[barnettrp21122]

Beautiful machine, and the sales receipt makes it that much more interesting! I hope you'll favor everyone with a whole lot of detailed pictures!
Bob

[brianu]

that's a pretty early XVI, and the finish is beautiful. can you post any more photos (particularly of the interior and the sides)? so far as value, prices have really been fluctuating and really depend on the thing's condition in its entirety (but rest assured, it's surely worth at least the original selling price, but you probably knew that) - you should watch ebay's completed auctions and check some dealers' sites on-line to get a general range.

[Zeppy]

Very nice machine....particularly with the original sales receipt. I'd drop several hundred on it (but I'm cheap too).

The 1913 version of the XVI is personally my favorite (I have one in mahagony).

[Jerry B.]

Luckynewbie asked for an estimated value and even provided good photos. We should offer a number. I don't think a new owner (and maybe a future collector) benefits or even recognizes a joke about it being worth the original $275 selling price or slightly more. (I don't intend this to be a criticism of the post...I recognized the joke) I'll be first to say I think it's worth at least $2000 and up towards $3000 even in todays economy. Anyone have one as nice as this one for sale? I'm a buyer at $2000? Jerry Blais

[Edisone]

Found Mr & Mrs William J Nagel in "Dau's Blue Book for Detroit, 1912", living at 159 Seyburn Avenue. He was a member of the Detroit Racquet and Curling Club, Detroit Yacht Club, and Harmonie Society.

From the 1914 BOOK OF DETROITERS, more than you ever wanted to know about The Nagels:

NAGEL, William J., postmaster; born, Detroit, Sept. 13, 1873; son of William and Theresa (Schulte) Nagel; educated public schools, University of Detroit, and Detroit Business University; married, Feb. 23, 1903, Emma E. Martz, of Detroit; 3 children: Dorothea, Gretchen, William A. Organized, Sept., 1900, the Brady-Nagel Manufacturing Co., manufacturers of automobile parts, of which is secretary and treasurer; secretary Michigan Bonding & Surety Co. since Aug., 1911. Deputy U. S. internal collector under the income tax law during President Cleveland's administration; chief bookkeeper and deputy city treasurer in city treasurer's office, 18981907; deputy controller City of Detroit, 190910; postmaster of Detroit since Sept. 1, 1913. Democrat. Roman Catholic. Clubs: Detroit Racquet and Curling, Detroit Yacht. Recreations: outdoor and indoor sports. Office: Goebel Bldg. Residence: 159 Seyburn Ave.

So, he bought your Victrola just 2 weeks before becoming Postmaster of Detroit. Funny he didn't have the cash, or maybe he figured it was a good deal to pay on time with no interest.

The 1921 renumbering of Detroit streets puts 159 around the current 700, so the house is either still there in a group of very nice homes, or was torn down for a parking lot - I can't tell which, from the Google and Bing views. Grinnell's (vacant) building, now 1515-1519 Woodward, has its own page: http://buildingsofdetroit.com/places/grinnell .

[De Soto Frank]

Lucky newbie,

That's a gorgeous example of the XVI !

If you don't mind, could you post the serial # ( replacing the last two or three numbers with x's is fine ) and any letter suffix, as well as the date from the lower left-hand corner of the License Label pasted on the underside or inside the cabinet...

This would help us know when your machine was actually manufactured, and how long a "shelf-life" it had between its being built in Camden, and finally being sold in Detroit...

Thanks!

[gramophone78]

Well I for one am a little confused. Why would anyone come up with a price or even an offer when we have not even seen the inside???? . I certainly don't buy a car without looking at the engine .How does one know that the motor board was not changed, etc....A little too quick out the gate in my opinion. Still, on the plus side the outside and "well cropped" lid decal?? look great. If this machine is in Detroit. I would love to see it in that show "hard core pawn" . See how cheap a price they put on it .

[solophoneman]

Beautiful machine, and the sales receipt makes it that much more interesting! I hope you'll favor everyone with a whole lot of detailed pictures!
Bob

Absolutely Gorgeous Machine, and that original sales receipt certainly enhances it. I know another collector who had a common Edison Standard B with the original Sales receipt from 1906, and it really helped the value and resale of the machine when it was sold. Thanks for sharing this with us.