VV-XI
Tabletop Version: RARITY: ¤¤ VALUE: ¤¤¤
Enclosed Sides Floor Model: RARITY: ¤ VALUE: ¤
The XI was introduced in
1910 as an
upscale tabletop model with gold-plated hardware and dressy wood trim (top left). A
total of 10,175 tabletop versions were produced before the XI was transitioned into an
enclosed floor model in 1912 (right). During this change, the gold plating on the hardware was replaced with
nickel. The floor model XI quickly became Victor's most popular model ever,
selling well over 800,000 units during the production run. The VV-XI used a 12-inch turntable
and a two spring
motor. Until 1917, floor model XI's had a small concave-shaped "crescent-moon" carvings on
the front side posts, which were replaced with a small carved "scroll"
in later years. The cabinet was also enlarged after 1917 (lower left). With substantial looks and excellent features, the XI was considered
Victor's best overall value, and accounted for well over 10% of the company's
total phonograph production. Production ended in 1921, when the XI was
modernized into the VV-100. Like many other popular models,
it was available in either mahogany or oak, but
mahogany was by far the most popular choice. Walnut
and fumed oak was also
available in later years, but these are relatively rare. A few XI's have shown up with
unusual custom finishes, but this is extremely uncommon on this model.
The original 1910
selling price of the XI was $100.00. At the end of its production run, the XI sold
for $130.00. An estimated total of 850,000 Victrola XI's (of both types) were produced (some serial numbers were skipped during the
model run, and thus the production total and highest serial
number will not match)
The current collector database shows the earliest existent VV-XI to be S/N 517 and the latest to be S/N 855621.
| Manufacture Date | Serial Number Range | Feature Notes |
| 1910 | 501-2000 | Tabletop model with bullet brake, round speed control. |
| 1911 | 2000-6800 | A suffix introduced late in year |
| 1912 | 6800-22000 | Late tabletop models have an A suffix. Transition to floor model in March (at s/n 10675). The earliest floor models have a B suffix. Vertical record storage slats are used, (rather than horizontal shelves). |
| 1913 | 22000-66000 | Auto brake added early in year. B, C and D suffices used during year. |
| 1914 | 66000-117000 | D, E, F or G suffix used during year. F suffix models begin use of horizontal record shelves in place of vertical slats. |
| 1915 | 117000-200000 | G suffix |
| 1916 | 200000-312000 | G suffix |
| 1917 | 312000-430000 | Small glass speed indicator introduced at s/n 377950. Suffix letters after serial number and "Crescent moon" cabinet corner carvings eliminated at s/n 378000. XI-A* designation and use of "fat" tone arm begun late in year at approx. S/N 400000. |
| 1918 | 430000-498000 | XI-A* designation used |
| 1919 | 498000-620000 | XI-A* designation ended early in year at approx. S/N 534000. |
| 1920 | 620000-815000 | Finished cabinet back starting at s/n 779500 |
| 1921 | 815000-860000 |
* Note: the "A" designator after the model indicates a revised motor design. The A was later dropped from the dataplate, but the improved motor remained
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