Name/Title
Victrola XVIII – Luxury Floor GrammophoneEntry/Object ID
383Description
Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden (New Jersey), ca. 1915
Finish: Mahogany
Historical Background
The Victrola XVIII was one of the largest and most expensive models produced by the Victor Talking Machine Company. With a retail price of about 300–350 US dollars, it belonged to the true luxury class – roughly the cost of a small automobile at the time. It was aimed at affluent households seeking a prestigious piece of furniture combined with excellent sound reproduction.
Technology and Features
Drive: powerful double- or triple-spring motor, providing long running time per winding.
Tone arm: patented Tapered Tone Arm, Victor’s conical design for improved sound transmission.
Horn: fully internal horn system, concealed within the cabinet.
Record storage: large capacity, holding dozens to over 100 shellac records.
Cabinet: high-quality mahogany (also available in walnut or oak), richly decorated with inlays and classical furniture elements in Chippendale or Sheraton style.
Audience and Significance
The Victrola XVIII was never intended for the mass market but for the upper social classes – music lovers who wanted a status symbol that functioned both as a phonograph and as a fine piece of furniture.
Because of its high price, relatively few units were sold. Today, the XVIII is among the rarest and most sought-after Victrola models. The mahogany example displayed at the Edisonium is an outstanding witness to the combination of technical sophistication and luxury furniture craftsmanship in the early 20th century.
