The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

We acquired this Victrola VTLA a while back and restored the motor. It has the inside metal tag marked VTLA. Every other VTLA that I have seen has a different Filagree carving at the top, and I had never seen one with this “X” pattern before. This 1907 VTLA was originally sold at a music store on 5th Ave in Manhattan. Have any of you seen this ‘X’ pattern? Are there other patterns out there? Any information would be helpful.

Thanks.

For additional context, attached is a picture of the VTLA filigree that I am accustomed to seeing.

Do you have clear, macro images of the filagree?

I am thinking if Victor had put that on they would have centered it, at least on the front. It really doesn't look bad though. Someone spent a lot of time getting the dye out of the cabinet when they refinished it. 40 or so years ago that was a popular way to refinish mahogany. At least they didn't strip it and give it the "antique" tune-up with gold or yellow.... Good luck with it now, they are nice machines.

I think some of the original had fallen off and it was replaced during the refinishing process.

All good comments. I will try to update with additional close up pictures of the filigree in the next few days.

I want to say that this machine was previously discussed elsewhere, maybe on one of the Facebook groups?

Thanks for the information, but I’ve never actually posted anything about this machine on Facebook. Since this machine belongs to my daughter, I will ask her, but I doubt that she posted anything either.