The Victor-Victrola Page
Paloma
RARITY: ?? VALUE: ¤¤
The
Paloma was a phonograph in the lower-middle price range, intended
for sale solely in the
Canadian market. It was basic a floor-model Orthophonic machine, with a 2-spring
motor and blended mahogany finish. It was likely introduced in the summer or
early fall of 1927. Unlike the Orthophonic Victrolas marketed and sold in
Canada, most of which had unique design characteristics when compared to
their US "cousins", the Paloma was virtually identical to the Camden-built VV
4-7 model. While no factory production information is available on the Paloma
(as is the case for most Canadian machines), it is
quite likely that many of the Paloma's components or assemblies were
manufactured in Victor's US Plant, and were then shipped-out for assembly at
Victor's Montreal plant. By the end of 1928, the Paloma name was
discontinued, and this model was tagged and sold in Canada as the VV 4-7
(identical to the US nomenclature), indicating that complete US-built 4-7
machines were now being shipped to Canada for sale there. By that time,
sales of spring-wound acoustic phonographs were in serious decline in the US
market (given the popularity of electronically-amplified sets), and Victor
began to ship obsolete machines to foreign markets at a considerable
wholesale discount. The only difference
between the US and Canadian versions of the 4-7 is the addition of a "C"
stamped on the dataplate before the serial number, and the a unique Canadian
Victrola decal under the lid. The presence of an "E" on the dataplate
indicates that the machine was intended for export, usually to South and
Central American countries.
Production output figures for this model are unknown, but based on serial numbers of
surviving examples, it is estimated that at least 20,000 Paloma models were produced.
At present, insufficient information exists on the production quantities of
VV 4-7 models stamped "C" or "E".
Do you own a Victor Paloma? 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.
