Bubble Books
 

Victor "Bubble Book" Phonograph

 

 

From 1925 through 1929 (the same years Victor controlled the Bubble Book copyright),Victor manufactured a phonograph decorated with images from the Bubble Books.- According to Robert W. Baumbach in The Victor Data Record Book, almost 23,000 were shipped, with most shipped between 1925 and 1927.- Three models were produced over the phonograph's lifetime -- the original, type A, and type B.- Later models had changes to the motor and some other parts.- Type A is the most common, and judging by its serial number -- 5899 -- that is the model shown here.

As you can see, some of the decals on one side appear faded, but this is not fading. - Instead, there is some kind of "wax" paper covering some of the decals. -My suspicion is that this wax paper was supposed to have been removed before the phonograph was shipped, but never was.- Over time, this paper may have interacted with the decals, making the color less sharp. - I have peeled this paper off the boy character and, once the paper was peeled off, the decal has the very same texture and shine as the other full-color decals, supporting the theory that this paper was supposed to have been removed. -If you have any other theories about this mysterious paper, please contact me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Image Slideshow

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The scans below show advertisements for these machines from the time (the second and third courtesy of Darrell Lehman):


Voice of the Victor, May 1925

Victor phonograph flyer, 1925

Victor phonograph booklet,
July 1926


Victor phonograph booklet,
November 1926


Victor phonograph booklet,
November 1926


Victor phonograph
fold-out booklet,
August 1927


Victor phonograph booklet,
November 1927


Victor phonograph
fold-out booklet,
November 1927
 


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