VE labeled records

[FloridaClay]

Hi all,

Curious about the Victor records with "VE" (standing alone) at the top and the bottom of the label.

I am assuming this was an early designation for electrically recorded records. Right?

During what period was this marking used?

Do they have any greater or lesser value than a "normal" Victor record of the era?

Clay

[OrthoFan]

The "VE" for "Victor Electric," I believe, appears at the tops and bottoms of the Orthophonic scroll labels from their introduction in 1926, until about 1935 or so.

This site provides a nice guide to the various Victor labels -- http://majesticrecord.com/labelsvictor.htm -- though, unfortunately, some of the photos are a bit hard to see. In any event, there were several (minor) changes to the basic scroll label during it's lifetime, from 1926-1937.

You're probably aware that the earliest electrically recorded Victor records used the "Bat-Wing" label. They were marked with a tiny etched "VE" inside an oval in the run-off area of the shellac, near the label. That marking also appears on the scroll label Victor records, though it was changed to a "VE" inside a diamond shape in the very early 1930s--can't remember exactly what year that was.

[gramophoneshane]

They were marked with a tiny etched "VE" inside an oval in the run-off area of the shellac, near the label. That marking also appears on the scroll label Victor records, though it was changed to a "VE" inside a diamond shape in the very early 1930s--can't remember exactly what year that was.

These also turn up occasionally in the run-out area on some HMV records that were pressed from US masters.
As for the question of value, I doubt it would make any difference at all, but I could be wrong. There may be a handful of exceptions.
Titles available in the acoustic era that were later electrically re-recorded are probably equally desirable, depending on personal preference & collecting goals, and perhaps even the type of machine you own.

[syncopeter]

Value depends on what you like and from which period. Original pressings tend to be more valuable, not just because of their rarity but also because the masters are less worn so the sound can be better. That said, a good 1940s repressing on high quality shellac is quite probably far superior to a 1914 worn-down original. So there is no rule of thumb as to value. A record that didn't sell back then may be worth either its weight in gold or nothing at all.

[jvic]

So which records should and should NOT be used on early external horn Victors (Vict IV, V, VI's)??? I've been playing any and all 78's and did not realize there was a recording technique difference.
Jeff

[FloridaClay]

Good question Jeff. I know at some point Victor switched to a softer record compound that does not hold up well when played on old acoustic phonographs, but not sure what year.

Clay

[Viva-Tonal]

The "VE" for "Victor Electric," I believe, appears at the tops and bottoms of the Orthophonic scroll labels from their introduction in 1926, until about 1935 or so.

This site provides a nice guide to the various Victor labels -- http://majesticrecord.com/labelsvictor.htm -- though, unfortunately, some of the photos are a bit hard to see. In any event, there were several (minor) changes to the basic scroll label during it's lifetime, from 1926-1937.

You're probably aware that the earliest electrically recorded Victor records used the "Bat-Wing" label. They were marked with a tiny etched "VE" inside an oval in the run-off area of the shellac, near the label. That marking also appears on the scroll label Victor records, though it was changed to a "VE" inside a diamond shape in the very early 1930s--can't remember exactly what year that was.

The diamond VE symbol is used for records made with RCA equipment as opposed to Western Electric. The earliest records with the diamond symbol were made in 1931. The oval symbol can be found on some recordings made as late as 1935.