Isn't it wonderful that we have such a variety of
machines to collect. It would be truly boring if
Edison only made the Home model but they didn't. Have
you ever wondered why someone would originally pay
extra for a mahogany Triumph with a nickel bed plate?
Wouldn't that cost about as much as a Idealia or
Opera? I'm glad people made those decisions because
now we have machines that are rare and desirable. The
Victor company sold decorated machines that are
nothing short of wonderful. Today, they are prized in
any collection. Victrolas were decorated after they
left the Victor factory often by a dealer for a
customer. Perhaps the original owner commissioned the
decoration. I don't know but I love these machines
also. I think they are valuable, original, and very
interesting.
I have the 1965 Mustang fastback that my Dad
bought new. I love the car. It has a V-8 and 4-speed
but it's a basic Mustang. Do I wish that Dad had sent
his brand new Mustang to Shelby for modification?
Yes! Yes! Yes! I would consider such a car to be an
original Shelby Mustang. I could take my old Mustang
and have it modified to be a replica Shelby but in my
opinion that would be a waste of time and money and a
disservice to a classic car.
I think the same comparison can be made with
Victrolas. A machine modified shortly after its
manufacture I consider to be original and correct.
Perhaps that's the only way the original owner could
get his VV-IV decorated. I've seen photos of that
machine and I'd love to have it in my collection.
Happy collecting, Jerry Blais
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