Since I am the one that started stirring this pot I am offering my final .02 worth of why I offered my opinion in the first place. The very first thing that caught my eye with this Victrola was the nickel knobs followed by the rest of the nickel trim. Nickel would never be used with a Victor color pallette like that especially with gold painted trim. That was the first red flag. The second red flag was in the listing: "The outside of this machine has the original Asian decorated case as it was done when it was new". If that doesn't imply an original Victor finish I don't know what does. It's unfortunate the seller did not disclose that it might be an after-market job in the first place. Red flag #3: In fifty years of collecting I have never seen the interior of a machine deteriorate faster that the exterior. If that was the case, and I believe the seller as he stated in the listing that the previous owner had repainted it. It's equally obvious that all of the nickel has been replated and the turntable felt was not proerly applied, however minor the felt may be. If the seller thought it was an aftermarket job then that sould have been stated so in the listing. People are not mind readers. Failure to disclose that in favor of brevity of the listing, invites scrutiny. I've seen many pieces of Chinoiserie and have in my collection pieces from the 18th century through the 20th. I looked very closely at the artwork on this machine under high magnification until it pixilated and yes, it does have some wear. 90 years worth, very doubtful. Chinoiserie applied in this impasto manner is seen in the revival of Asian art in the late 40's and 50's on into the early 60's. There is nothing refined or delicate about this particular artwork at all. (to me) Clearly not Victor quality. On the other hand, I see nothing at all wrong or unusual in an aftermarket job done on an inexpensive instrument. It would be foolish to paint over bookmatched veneers for instance. The nickel looks like it was plated less than 90 years ago. I think that's what bothers me the most about this machine...is the nickel. It screams. I think the overall color of the machine is very beautiful. I love the ground and other colors. I never really did understand why Victor painted the interior of their Asian machines a pastel instead of using the ground color, black, red or whatever. I wonder how long the present owner has had the machine and if this restoration could not have been something that was done by it's previous owner 50 or 60 years ago. My previous post and this one are strictly my opinion...just that, my opinion. I don't think there is anything wrong in my bringing this up in this group and discussing it because there is obviously a wide variety of opinions about it. I agree, it's great we do not all collect or want the same machines. Bruce