The Victrola XVIII was Victor's premier, most expensive machine in 1915-1916, the spring motor version selling for $300 (over $7700 in 2020 dollars). Under 4500 of this model were sold, as might be expected because of the price, making surviving examples quite scarce and desirable.
Victor spared no effort in making the bulging, serpentine cabinet a masterpiece of the furniture maker's art. Most were decorated with a fine mahogany veneer, as in the example here.
I have gone through the mechanics of this machine to try to make it as nice as when it left the Victor factory. The motor has been restored -- disassembled, cleaned, adjusted, oiled etc. The governor has been polished for responsive running, one governor weight replaced, and all three mainsprings have been pulled and re-greased, a big job but important for smooth running.
The reproducer has been rebuilt for maximum faithful sound, as you can hear in the mp3 recording.
The cabinet has been nicely refinished to bring out the magnificent mahogany stripes in the grain (the rear of the cabinet was not touched), so that the machine now looks as nice as it sounds. There is some typical wear on the gold plating where the parts were handled.
Why not own the best?
Lynn Bilton
Box 435
Randolph,OH 44265
330 325-7866
We buy, sell, and repair antique phonographs and music boxes.
Pick-up and delivery possible in many parts of the midwest,south, and northeast.
Mechanical music
for sale