VV-50
The
VV-50 was Victor's first portable 'suitcase-style' phonograph. This suitcase
design had been pioneered by several competitive phonograph companies to allow
music-lovers to bring entertainment to the beach or picnics, and it quickly
caught-on with the buying public. So Victor scrambled to provide its own machine
to fill the demand. The VV-50 was introduced in the early summer of 1921, and
was an immediate hit. Selling for just $50.00 (which equates to about $725.00 in
today's money), it featured a small single spring motor, a Victrola "No 2"
soundbox, nickel plated hardware and a choice of a sturdy oak or mahogany
cabinet. Steel corner protectors prevented damage to the cabinet due to
accidental bumps.
The earliest versions had the crank mounted in the front of the cabinet (example
at left), but by late 1923 the design was changed to a 'right-hand' crank
location, making winding more convenient. The horn was located to the rear of
the tonearm assembly; therefore, the lid had to remain open in order to listen
to records. The crank was stored by means of a clamp located on the upper
interior of the lid.
The VV-50 soon became one of Victor's most popular products of the early 1920's,
selling nearly 153,000 copies. Production was discontinued in early 1925,
although many remained in stock at the factory; these continued to be sold by
dealers well into 1927. Even though public interest in wind-up phonographs was
beginning to wane in 1921, the demand for portable machines such as the VV-50
remained strong throughout the entire decade.
While the VV-50 was ultimately replaced by lighter and better performing models
such as the VV-35 and VV 2-60,
it remained a very strong seller for many years.
| Manufacture Date | Serial Number Range | Feature Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 501-25200 | |
| 1922 | 25201-60300 | |
| 1923 | 60301-85900 | Crank moved to right side at s/n 84000 |
| 1924 | 85901-129100 | |
| 1925 | 129101-142600 | |
| 1926 | 142601-152600 | Production ceased mid-year. Product continued to be sold by dealers into 1927. |
The current survival database shows the earliest existent VV-50 to be S/N 514 and the latest to be S/N 149299.
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