Let it be known, and I'm the first to admit it; I am very much a stereotypical guy. I know it. My friends know it. Now you know it. I'm a guy and I am so easily distracted by new "bright, shiney" things.
In this case, however, the "bright shiney" is more alone the lines of "old and awesome," but it doesn't change the fact that I have been distracted and infatuated by them. And by "them" I mean antique radios and phonographs.
Case in point; several months ago I came across a new-to-me Crosley standup radio. It was not expensive and was from a home where the retirees were downsizing. The radio itself doesn't work, but the facade was awesome and I felt like it could be retrofitted into something newer and neater.
And then I came across an old Edison Diamond Disc player, which was Edison's answer to the more common Victor Victrola.
Edison discs are not nearly as common as 78rpm shellac discs, so I ended up finding a decent Victrola VV-IX. I have shared on 3speak some songs from both the Edison and this Victrola. They sound magnificent.
And that has led to ... well ... this find, on hibid.com.
Item 1: Victor Victrola VV-110
This is a beautiful machine. It is an analogue, crank-and-spring powered motor, phonograph. The VV-110 was the successor to the very successful VV-XIV, but wasn't quite as successful as it's predecessor. It is now mine.
The top portion of the phonograph is the speaker, and volume control is obtained by closing the lid and opening/closing the top doors. The bottom portion of the cabinet is used to hold records (more on records later).
Many Victrolas have a "speed control" to make the turntable spin faster or slower. The VV-IV I have has a lever that indicates, literally, "slower" to "faster". The turntable should spin at 78rpm, but some records and turntables vary. The VV-100 has a dial that clearly indicates precisely what the current rpm is set to.
This particular set came complete. It works without fuss, and even included a Victrola key! These are in high demand, and sell for upwards of $100 on ebay.
Here's how it sounds:
But wait! There's more!
Item 2: Philco Lowboy
Another radio. My collection is growing and it has already found a place in my house. I don't want to do anything to this radio other than repair the wires and listen to it. I hope it works.
These old radios are great. If nothing else they look superb. It's easy for us today to take our technology for granted; personally, all the songs on CD I've ever bought - and more - are available for immediate listening on my phone. For visual entertainment there is more On Demand than I think I have hours of life available. Back in the 40's, however, radio was entertainment for the family, and the family would gather around the radio to listening to the weekly shows.
Item 3: Philco 42-400X
I'm actually surprised to have found more Philco's after the other I found. @jerrytsuseer might be interested in this one, too - it looks pretty awesome (and Jerry, I'm catching up to replies on other posts today!)
I brought this one in with the groceries - you can see the cat litter in the background that needs to find it's own proper home, too. And the lazy-ass dog.
This particular radio is all sorts of broken, but the Really Cool Part of this is the console. OMG. I love this console.
Is that not absolutely epic?? Of course all the buttons are broken and the dials don't do anything, but it's still awesome. This radio needs to see this console retrofitted with some touch screens and electric buttons to fill in what's broken. This is going to be fun.
Item 4
A wall clock. I figured that since I was in such a bidding mood, the clock was only an additional $5 bid. I honestly don't know much about clocks other than they tell time, but what I have learned is this:
- It is impossible to overwind a clock - told to me by a clock repairman.
- The keyhole on the left is for the chime/gong.
- The keyhole on the right is for the time.
Item 5: 60+ records
This was a tonne of records. Well, maybe not a tonne, but close; these old shellac records are heavy! Each record has one song per side - some have only one song and an empty back side, and not all of them are in good shape. Regardless, I'm now up to over 700 songs. And yes, I do have some repeats. I think I have four of a song named "Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh." I haven't played it yet, so your guess as to what it's aboot is as good as mine.
And finally...
Item 6
Possibly the crown jewel in this particular batch of goodness, a Victor Victrola VE 8-4. Why VE, you may ask, and not VV? Because the VE is an electric Victrola.
Like all the others this one is pretty dirty and is in some severe need of a deep clean, but it sounds pretty fantastic. I haven't recorded a record on it, yet, so you'll need to take my word on that, but it's mesmerising.
The 8-4 came in two flavours; standard analogue crank driven, and a version with the electric motor. In either case the sound reproducer (the round portion of the arm which holds the needle) was new and different from prior Victrola's which results in it's impressive sound. At some point soon I'll have a comparison with the same album played on a standard spring loaded vs electric Victrola.
All told, this batch of goodness cost just over $100, included sales tax and auction fees. Victrola's do not command a premium price on the markets, and most sell for at most a few hundred dollars each. Regardless, if I were to sell each of these "as is" I would certainly turn a healthy profit. Once I get them cleaned up and tuned up that profit margin would widen even more. I do not, however, plan on selling these. I plan to keep them and use them and enjoy them. With over 700 songs, I've got some listening to do!
Though I did not really set foot into a market for any of these items, I am including these great finds in @dswigle's #marketfriday initiative.
(c) All images and photographs, unless otherwise specified, are created and owned by me.
(c) Victor Wiebe
About Me
Amateur photographer. Wannabe author. Game designer. Nerd.
General all around problem-solver and creative type.
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