The Victor-Victrola Page

The Victor-Victrola Page

VV 8-1 / Credenza / Credenza X / VV 8-30 / VE 8-30 X

RARITY: Y VALUE YY

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The Credenza (also called the 8-1) was the most expensive of the first four Orthophonic Victrola models introduced in November 1925. It featured the largest horn that Victrola had ever offered, and was frequently used to demonstrate the amazing quality of Orthophonic reproduction. A large and elegant cabinet gave this model an impressive appearance. The Credenza was available in mahogany or walnut, and included an automatic brake and gold plated hardware. Some late production Credenzas use a combination of walnut and mahogany veneer, with the walnut used under the lid. Early production versions had two large doors in the front (left), while later models used a four-door design (the center two doors covering the horn, and the two side doors used to enclose the record storage areas, as shown on right). All the very early versions (S/N < 5000) use the 2-door design, but there appears to be some sequential intermixing of the 2 and 4-door designs in late 1925 and early 1926, although all models used the 4-door configuration by the second quarter of 1926 (S/N > 15000). An optional feature was a colored tooled-leather covering on the front (bottom right).

The "Credenza" name was changed to a "8-30" designation on the dataplate in mid-1926. Also, in the middle of 1926, the motorboard was changed by shifting the turntable to an off-center position toward the right. A padded record holder was later added on the left side of the motorboard. The Credenza was produced from late 1925 and through all of 1926, and factory information indicates that production continued into early 1927, although it remained in the Victor catalog to the end of that year. Some very late Credenzas have reportedly been documented with an RCA-Victor license sticker, indicating that some had been held in factory stock until after RCA purchased Victor in 1929. Invoices show that dealers were selling these models in the early 1930's, but this was certainly left over old stock.

About 2 months prior to the official public introduction of the Credenza, approximately 75 "pre-release" versions were produced, likely for use as dealer demonstrators. These machines can be readily identified by an "8-1" nomenclature on the tag (rather than "Credenza"), a slightly different cabinet trim, and a serial number below 580. A few of these early demo models have survived. The veneer has a distinctly red hue, similar to the mahogany shades used on pre-Orthophonic Victrolas.

In addition, several "VV 8-30-S" models have recently shown up. These phonographs are basically the same as a standard 8-30, but with provisions to mount a radio in the cabinet. The database shows that these were produced through at least S/N 676, meaning that a minimum of 175 of these machines were produced.

The original 1925 selling price of the Credenza was $275.00, but the price was raised to $300.00 a few months after it was introduced. An estimated total of 63,000 hand-wound Victrola Credenza's were produced.

The Credenza was also available with an electric motor option (Credenza X or VE 8-30 X) for $35.00 extra, and a total of 30,642 of these machines were produced.

The current collector database shows the earliest existent Credenza to be S/N 531 and the latest to be S/N 63049.

The earliest existent Credenza electric is S/N 585 and the latest is S/N 31797.

Manufacture Date	Serial Number Range	Feature Notes
1925	501-10500	Earliest models all use 2 door design, after S/N 5000, models may use either 2 or 4 door configurations
1926	10500-55000	All models use 4-door design after S/N 15000. Record support added at S/N 33800. 8-30 name change implemented around S/N 45000
1927	55000-63500
Credenza X (VE) Electric:
1925	501-2500	Most early models use 2 door design
1926	2500-22800	8-30 name implemented around S/N 14000
1927	22800-31143

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