VV-IV in the Box

[novkev24]

I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this monstrosity at a local antique store...

[David Spanovich]

Not as much of a monstrosity as you might think. There were a number of cabinets available from third party suppliers that were specially designed to house the lidless table top Victrolas. Some were quite elaborate.

While I've never seen this exact one before, I've seen similar cabinets that had the "cut out" in back to accommodate the elbow.

Rather plain looking, but it gets the job done.

DS

[novkev24]

Interesting... I have also seen original cabinets that housed machines. I just thought this example was not very good.

Thanks for your post,
Kevin

[JohnM]

I rather like it -- never seen one made that way before. The needle cups mounted on the door -- typical of a more conventional disc record cabinet -- speak to it's being purpose made for a lidless disc phonograph of some kind. The lid would indicate it not being intended for an external horn model. I'm a bit puzzled by the second data plate affixed to the lid. The plugged crank hole is interesting, too. If you could get 20% knocked off the price for good measure, I'd suggest you buy it, nokev -- it's unusual. It would look great in an Arts & Crafts-style house.

[novkev24]

At first I though it might be original, but after some examination, I noticed that they took the ID plate off the side of the machine and nailed it to the lid. Also, they should have made the inside a bit taller. The lid does not close when the machine is playing. It hits the reproducer.

I will give you that though. It is pretty unusual. I suppose since the cabinet is not old, the machine wouldn't be altogether an antique, which loses some of the appeal.

[JohnM]

I see now that is just the outline of the plate on the side of the machine. Perhaps it was not intended to be played with the lid down? I'm still not convinced it isn't original, but maybe in person I would have a different opinion.

[David Spanovich]

I agree that it doesn't have that slapped together look that a home-made job would have.

If the lid won't close without hitting the sound box, and the lid is original to the cabinet, it's possible that it wasn't originally designed for a Victor product. Could have been designed for a Columbia "lidless" model? Sears Silvertone? It's always fun to speculate.

DS

[novkev24]

You bring up a good point. That very well could have been designed for another make. What are your thoughts on the crack. It's doesn't appear to be victor issued.

[David Spanovich]

What are your thoughts on the crack. It's doesn't appear to be victor issued.

The crank looks like an early style "flat shank" crank, which Victor used on its less expensive models for a short period, as noted on Victor-Victrola.com -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/Cranks%2 ... ed%202.htm


The less expensive tabletop Victrolas (VV-IV, VV-VI and VV-VIII) used a "flat shank" crank from 1911 through 1913. This was the same type of crank handle that had been used on many of the early external horn machines. All other Victrola models (and post 1913 lidless machines) used a "round shank" crank design.

[Brad]

It definitely looks commercially purpose built to me, however, 2 things bother me a bit:

-The tone arm bracket cutout on the back appears to have been hand modified. All the edges look cleanly machine cut with the exception of the elongated portion up top and the veneer appears splintered from this modification.

-I would expect to see some grime around the victor tag if it has been there for 90 years. There is grime and wear on the tag, but nothing around it on the case. There does appear to be grime on the cabinet around the other other hardware.

These could suggest that the original case was intended for a different table top and/or the top was replaced and the tag placed there from the original.

All and in, though, I do believe it is a (mostly) honest piece. If it were priced in line with a VV-IV, or a little more, it might be worth it.