VV 4-20 / VE 4-20
The
4-20 was a low-priced, basic floor-model Orthophonic phonograph introduced in early
1928, replacing the discontinued VV 4-7. This machine
featured a medium-size folded Orthophonic horn, a 2-spring motor, and a rather plain
mahogany cabinet with cloth grille-cover. By the time the 4-20 entered the
market, electrically-amplified phonographs had become commonplace, but were still
relatively expensive; those buyers on a budget could choose this less-costly,
but well-performing model. Within a few months of its introduction,
production of the 4-20 was abruptly ended. This indicates that this model was
not a particularly strong seller, and based on data from surviving examples,
many were being shipped to Latin America by year's end. 4-20's
remaining in factory stock continued to be sold by Victor dealers well into
1929. The original 1928
selling price of the 4-20 was $135.00, which equates to approximately $2,700.00
in today's money.
An estimated total of 34,000 Victrola
4-20's
were produced. Electric-motor versions (VE 4-20) were available for $35.00 extra. An estimated total of
2,350 electrically powered VE 4-20's were made.
The current collector database shows the earliest existent VV 4-20 to be S/N 510 and the latest to be S/N 34231. The earliest existent VE 4-20 (electric) is S/N 638 and the latest is S/N 1850.
Do you own a Victrola 4-20? Please take a moment and enter some basic information about your machine into the collector's database by clicking here. No personal information is required.