Variety, different likes and dislikes, is what makes the world turn , keeps our interest , and lets different collectors collect what they like or can afford. It would be boring and very crowded if we all collected and liked the same things, deep pockets would rule. Visiting different collections and seeing the variety of interests and specialties is always exciting and refreshing even if it is not what you collect and like the best . In every instance I can think of I have always found new and exciting things and learned about something new when I have had the chance to visit others , whether it is a large or small collection. We have now heard from someone else who owns one of the after market decorated machines and previously the purist's who would only buy and collect Victor factory models. I hope the one thing all of these comments have teached us is that we have to respect and be courteous to all, even though we may not have the same interests,opinions or pocket books. I personally admire both and even though not seen very often the after market machines certainly do not in my opinion command a price anywhere close to the factory decorated machines. With that said I certainly would like to own and would be absolutely thrilled to have examples of both in my collection. The cost thereof , however will probably dictate that future purchases if they can be found will be less expensive after market machines. Happy Collecting, no matter what your interests are. DeeDee Blais <deedeeblais at yahoo.com> wrote: Isn't it wonderful that we have such a variety of machines to collect. It would be truly boring if Edison only made the Home model but they didn't. Have you ever wondered why someone would originally pay extra for a mahogany Triumph with a nickel bed plate? Wouldn't that cost about as much as a Idealia or Opera? I'm glad people made those decisions because now we have machines that are rare and desirable. The Victor company sold decorated machines that are nothing short of wonderful. Today, they are prized in any collection. Victrolas were decorated after they left the Victor factory often by a dealer for a customer. Perhaps the original owner commissioned the decoration. I don't know but I love these machines also. I think they are valuable, original, and very interesting. I have the 1965 Mustang fastback that my Dad bought new. I love the car. It has a V-8 and 4-speed but it's a basic Mustang. Do I wish that Dad had sent his brand new Mustang to Shelby for modification? Yes! Yes! Yes! I would consider such a car to be an original Shelby Mustang. I could take my old Mustang and have it modified to be a replica Shelby but in my opinion that would be a waste of time and money and a disservice to a classic car. I think the same comparison can be made with Victrolas. A machine modified shortly after its manufacture I consider to be original and correct. Perhaps that's the only way the original owner could get his VV-IV decorated. I've seen photos of that machine and I'd love to have it in my collection. Happy collecting, Jerry Blais ____________________________________________________________________________________ Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos. http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list http://phono-l.oldcrank.org