I own a Victor 130 that is done in the "oriental" theme (Japanese lacquer). I have seen several other Victor "factory" lacquer finishes as well. This XIV is not a factory paint job. Victor factory jobs were adorned with the same themed colors and designs both inside and out. In other words, there would be decorations inside, not just one flat (and not at all complimentary color). The decal wouldn't have the mahogany colored background either, it would be the same color as the inside (in this case, gray?). If anything, this was done aftermarket, there were lots of places that would do this for a fee at the time, some dealers even offered the service to "customize" your new machine. I have a Columbia L-2 done in a fancy black lacquer with lots of fancy ornamentation like this, but the inside is done in just one flat black with nothing else. Not a Columbia job, but an aftermarket one, which I suspect this one is as well.
So, this XIV was (imo) done probably around when it was new, not more recently, but not (I repeat NOT) a factory job. You would also see a "special finish" notice on the paper tag on the inside of the cabinet, they all carried that rather than the regular paper label. My $.02 Best to all, Sean -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of gregory caringi Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 8:33 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Asian Victor I am an acquaintance of the seller and have seen this machine. As described, the interior has been professionally repainted and color matched to the original. The felt has been replaced. The exterior paint is real. It appears to have been done at the factory. It may not be your cup-of-tea, but it is not "a horrid, amateurish paint job." It is old and has been meticulously and professionally painted in the Asian style of the day. You may not like it, but there is no need to disparage either the seller or the machine. >From: "Robert Wright" <[email protected]> >Reply-To: Antique Phonograph List <[email protected]> >To: "Antique Phonograph List" <[email protected]> >Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Asian Victor >Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2007 04:17:15 -0500 > >The kind of people who bid on crapophones think this is real. What a >horrid, amateurish paint job. It's an embarrassment. At least he made >REAL sure the new felt stuck to the turntable. > > >----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce Mercer" <[email protected]> >To: <[email protected]> >Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 11:46 PM >Subject: [Phono-L] Asian Victor > > >http://cgi.ebay.com/ASIAN-Case-VICTOR-VICTROLA-Oriental-Finish-Very-RARE_W0 QQitemZ330173994759QQihZ014QQcategoryZ38030QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZView Item > >Do people really believe this thing is for real? I love Chinoiserie >cabinetry but this thing >could not be more amateurish. It looks like an ugly 60's attempt, hardly >"original" as stated >in the listing. The nickel hardware is a real plus too not to mention the >battleship grey interior. >We all know how the inside deteriorates so much more quickly on most >phonographs than >do the exteriors, the reason given for the paint job by the previous owner. >I hope the buyer >contacts me, I have some lovely waterfront property to sell. > >Bruce >_______________________________________________ >Phono-L mailing list >http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > >_______________________________________________ >Phono-L mailing list >http://phono-l.oldcrank.org _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
