Submit Your Victrola Information | The Victor-Victrola Page

Thank you for helping us grow the Victor-Victrola Survival Database! This information helps us track surviving machines and better understand production and rarity. Please look through each section below — every question has example photos right beside it, so you shouldn't need to leave this page while filling it out.

A few things to know before you start:

We receive a high volume of submissions (around 1,500 a month), so while we read every one, we're not able to respond individually to each.

Your email address is optional. If you'd like a response to a specific question, please include it — otherwise feel free to leave it blank. We never share or sell email addresses.

This form is for database submissions only — it's not the place to request an appraisal, repair, or restoration. Please visit our Appraisals or Appraisals, parts & repairs pages for those.

Step 1 of 6

Dataplate Information

Please enter the stamped information on the metal dataplate of your Victrola — only the stamped text in the "boxed" section of the plate, not the "Victor Talking Machine Company" text or patent information.

For lidded Victrolas, the plate is usually near the motorboard. For most non-lidded (open) Victrolas, it's on the side of the cabinet. On some models it's underneath the turntable (the turntable must be lifted straight up to remove). Please include the model, serial number, and all prefix/suffix letters — suffix letters are often small and located far to the right of the serial number, so check carefully. See Getting Started for more detail on identifying your machine.

Example dataplate showing a small suffix letter: VV XVI 52322 D

Dataplate information (as stamped):

Step 2 of 6

Type of Finish

What type of finish does your Victrola have? Reference photos for each type are below — select the closest match at the bottom of this section.

Mahogany — red or brown, straight linear grain. The majority of Victrolas were produced with a mahogany finish. Over time this can appear much darker, faded, or "crazed" (rough) if the machine was stored in a hot attic or humid basement.

Oak — yellow or brown, "tiger stripe" grain. Colors and shading vary significantly; some oak finishes can appear grey or black.

Walnut — brown, highly figured or "choppy" flowing grain.

Circassian Walnut — vivid, contrasting, long swirling figured grain.

Gold Vernis Martin — with or without paintings (usually angels, harpists, flowers) over bright gold leaf.

Japanese Figures over black

Decorated Cabinet

Painted-over — someone brushed or sprayed over the original finish.

Type of finish:

Step 3 of 6

License Sticker Date

Enter the date from the license sticker's lower left-hand corner. The sticker is on the bottom of tabletop models; on floor models it can be on the back, underneath, or on the inner wall of the record storage area. If the sticker is missing or damaged, enter "N/A".

Note: the license sticker date is not the build date of your phonograph. Please only enter what's in the lower-left corner of the license sticker — not a patent date found elsewhere.