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Victor Period Models "Queen Anne"

RARITY: ¤¤¤¤   VALUE:  ¤¤¤¤ 

Some Background on "Period" Victrolas

Period Victrolas were semi-custom models featuring Victor's best designs, veneers and craftsmanship. These expensive, special-order phonographs were first introduced as upright-only styles in the spring of 1917, and were continued through 1924. Production volumes were very limited. Manufacture of these models was totally curtailed during World War I (mid-1917 through the end of 1918), and when they were re-introduced in 1919, virtually all phonograph makers had launched their own upscale products, and the Period Models became less exclusive and appealing to the buying public.

Period Victrolas used names of period furniture designers or styles, typically dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, along with a designator number to indicate slight variations in design. For example, the "Adam" Period Victrolas (named after architect James Adam) were originally sold in 6 design variations, starting with "Adam No. 0" through "Adam No. 5". The serial numbers (each variation was serialized independently) always started at 501.  Some variations were discontinued or changed during the production run. In 1920, Victor introduced horizontal console-style Period Victrolas as an addition to the upright Period product line, with similar nomenclature. The console models are much larger overall, with a squared-off "boxy" design which was not very popular. Console model variations are typically designed as a "Type 500" or "501" on the dataplate. As with the standard Victrola models, Period Victrolas were produced in both hand-wound and electric (VE) versions. Prices ranged from $300 to well over $1200 depending on finish and model. It is estimated that no more than 50 of each unique design variation (e.g. Adam No. 0) were produced; based on the serial numbers of surviving examples, actual production was probably less than 25 of each variation. It is also possible that some of the variations which appeared in the catalogs were never put into production. Period Models are amongst the rarest Victrolas; however, the simpler examples will not typically command top prices, as they are often very similar in design to standard production models.

These pricey Victrolas did not sell well, and were highly discounted in the mid-1920's. Many were shipped from dealer-to-dealer for short-term display purposes, and ended-up being sold as "used" machines. Surviving documentation implies that most were actually sold when prices were cut in half during the summer of 1925.

The Queen Anne models were based on popular furniture designs from the later part of the 17th century, and featured long, arching carved legs and distinctive ornamentation.   Only two types of this model are known to have been produced: an upright version (left) denoted as "No. 0", with lacquered Chinese decorations, and a console model (right) denoted as "No. 500" in a choice of highly figured walnut or "crotch" mahogany.  The upright versions sold new for $900.00, which equates to over $18,000.00 in today's money; the original selling price for the console style was $1110.00 for spring-wind and $1165.00 for the electric powered (VE) version.

The survival database currently shows 4 existing "Queen Anne" upright models, and 5 exisiting console-style models.

Do you own a Victrola Queen Anne model? 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.