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VV-330 / VE-330

RARITY: ¤¤   VALUE:  ¤¤¤ 

The VV-330 was the premium 'hump-top' Victrola, introduced in the spring of 1922. Its debut was concurrent with the reorganizing of the entire Victrola product line. These new models used conventional Arabic number designations rather than the previous Roman numerals, but they were essentially cosmetic variations of the same products that had been offered since 1906. The resounding success of console-style models which were being produced by other phonograph manufacturers likely motivated Victor to produce its own line of machines in that style; however, the company did not want to mimic designs that others had produced, so their first console machines had a 'hump-top' appearance.  This essentially replicated the domed-lid that had been in use on their upright phonograph models since 1907. The first hump-top design appeared on the VV-300 in the spring of 1921, but was soon replicated across a number of Victrola models. The end-result was a rather strange looking cabinet that was neither very practical (one could not place anything on top of the machine since all surfaces were angled) nor were they particularly 'modern-looking'.
The 330 was definitely an exceptional machine, and featured a unique bombe' style curved cabinet, gold-plated hardware, Victor's best 4-spring motor, as well as elegant hand-carved trim details on the corner posts. VV-330 models were produced in a choice of a mahogany, walnut or oak veneer. The original 1922 selling price of the VV-330 was $350.00, which equates to over $3,600.00 in today's money. Walnut finishes (American or Circassian) added $65.00 the price. Based on factory documentation, just over 3,600 Victrola VV-330 machines were produced.
Due to slow sales of the hump-top models, Victor terminated production of most machines with this design by the end of 1922, including the VV-330.
By the early 1920s, the novelty of phonographs was fading. The buying public now viewed these machines as basic commodities, and interest in elegant higher-priced models had fallen significantly. As stated above, production of the VV-330 was terminated in the final months of 1922; however, since so many remained in storage, it continued to be listed in both the 1923, 1924 and 1925 Victrola catalogs.Victor ultimately produced far more of these models than could be sold at list price. Due to this overproduction, it is quite likely that many VV-330 machines 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.
Electric versions (VE) of the 330 were produced in 1922, but this was not a popular choice; only about 500 electric VE-300 models were made. The addition of the electric motor added $40.00 to the list price.
In general, collector interest in hump-top console Victrola models is very weak today; however, due to the relative rarity and fine craftsmanship of the VV-330 cabinet, they are considered to be desirable by many collectors 

The survival database currently shows the earliest existent VV-330 to be S/N 502 and the latest to be S/N 4139
The earliest logged VE-330 survivor is S/N 549 and the latest is S/N 908

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