The Victor-Victrola Page
VV-80 / VE-80
RARITY: ¤ VALUE: ¤
The VV-80 was Victor's 'economy' floor-model phonograph when introduced
in early 1921. Its launch was concurrent with the reorganizing of the
entire Victrola product line. These new models used conventional number
designations rather than the previous Roman numerals, but they were essentially
the same products that had been offered for more than 10 years prior, with
moderately redesigned cabinets.
The VV-80 was the lowest-priced floor model in the new series. It was considered
to be a basic
entry-level machine, with a minimum of features and decoration. The VV-80 was
considerably smaller than any previous Victrola floor-model; at only 40"
tall, it was verging on being 'child-like' in height. Like most of the low-price models in the early 1920s,
the VV-80 was produced via automated machining processes, with no hand-carving
or ornate trim.
All VV-80 models had the semi-automatic brake and a two-spring motor. It was
available in a selection of mahogany, oak or walnut veneers, but the most
popular choice by far was mahogany with a dark stain applied (left).
While the VV-80 sold quite well, increased competition in the
talking machine business forced Victor to significantly enlarge the cabinet at the end of
1922, making it appear more substantial and appealing (right). This upgrade also included a
bigger horn opening and a sleeker, low-profile lid.
Production of the VV-80 was discontinued toward the end of 1924, but this
product remained in the Victor catalog throughout 1925. Due to the
overproduction of these machines during 1923 and 1924, it is quite likely that
many late-production VV-80's were sold during Victor's well-advertised
"half-price" sale during the summer of 1925. For more information on Victor's
financial crisis of 1924-1925 and the overproduction of phonographs, please
click
here.
The original 1921 selling price of the VV-80 was $100.00, which equates to more
than $1,400.00 in today's money. An estimated total of 185,000 VV-80 models were
produced. A very small quantity of VE-80 (electric motor) models were also
produced during the latter part of 1924.
Due to the large volume that were originally produced, the VV-80 (and many
similar Victrola models) are typically ignored by collectors
today, unless in exceptional original condition. They are simply too basic in design, and far too many were produced to be considered 'collectible'
in the current market.
The survival database currently shows the earliest existent VV-80 to be S/N 516 and the latest to be S/N 185915
Only one surviving VE-80 has been documented to date.
Manufacture Date | Serial Number Range | Feature Notes |
1921 | 501-52500 | |
1922 | 52500-74500 | Larger cabinet and doors introduced around s/n 74300 |
1923 | 74500-114000 | |
1924 | 114000-186000 | Yellow felt platter cover introduced mid-year |
Do you own a Victrola VV-80? 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.