RCA Electrola 12-15VE

I have an RCA Victrola Electrola VE 12-15 E 1861 - It has the paper sticker under the cabinet that has the date 1927 on it. I've been trying to find information on it but am not having very much luck. This website has provided the only information I have found. Can you tell me more about the piece. Is it rare? What about value? The cabinet is in good condition and it still plays.

Yes, that's relatively rare. According to Robert Baumbach's "Victor Data Book," a total of 6,020 VE 12-15Es were shipped from the factory between the 4th quarter of 1927, through the 4th quarter of 1930, with a starting serial number of 501. (Only seven units were shipped in 1930, and it seems that production had ended pretty much by the second quarter of 1929.)

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Here's the description from "Look for the Dog," by Robert Baumbach:

Model -- Electrola 12-15
"This early all electric phonograph used RCA's AZ 744 amplifier chassis and six inch cone speaker. The speaker was located behind the two front doors, while a spring balanced lid covered the turntable and gold plated controls. A vertical pocket on each side of the turntable held records, either individually, or in albums (not included). A separate radio receiver could be connected to the Electrola, and a selector switch was provided for this purpose. The Georgian Style cabinet was walnut veneered with a blended antique finish. Tubes used on the earlier instruments were one UX-199, one UX-210, one UV-886, and two UX-281s. Electrola 1215s above serial number 2600 used the newer RCA amplifier SPU-24m which contained one UX-250, one UX-226, and two UX-281 tubes.

"Dimensions of the instrument were 45.25 inches high, by 27 inches wide and 19 inches deep."

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If this has all of the original components, in good overhauled/working condition, then this would probably fetch a premium price. A few years ago, I saw one in non-working condition with a nice, original cabinet sell for about $500 on eBay. Keep in mind, this should have a gold plated turntable, tone arm, and horseshoe magnet style pickup. If the player mechanism has been replaced, this will impact the value considerably.

Do you have an photos you could post here?

I will post pics tonight when i get home from work. i don't remember it having a gold plated turntable but - i keep the top closed with trinkets sitting on top... i've had it in my possession for over 30 years

OK I finally got around to taking photos. Boy, was I surprised. I had forgotten what was under the top! The original information book, about 20 records and the original mechanism is intact. I am attaching photos. The arm has pulled away from the original support but other than that - and the gold plating is tarnished... I think everything is intact - we plugged it in and played a record... What fun! How do I post photos?

I found it! Here are the photos...sue[

I have more photos if you need to see them...

Great! That looks like it has the original finish intact.

If possible, could you post a few "under the lid" photos of the player mechanism--turntable, tone arm, etc.?

Also - the little holders for needles are all full of needles.

Yes, that looks like it's all original! You'll notice that the tone arm is of the type used on the earlier "acoustic" Victrolas--those equipped with horns, mechanical sound boxes, spring motors, etc. This style of tone arm carried over to the early production all-electric machines and was not replaced with the more conventional straight tone arm until about the time that RCA took over the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1929. There does seem to be some deterioration of the back bracket (tone arm support), but new-production replacements are available, so this should not be much of an issue.

This is a real gem, and if, as you note, it is in playing condition, then it should fetch a good price should you decide to put it up for sale.

I'd advise that you track a few auctions on eBay, using "Electrola" as your key search term. While you may not spot your exact model, most of these early Electrolas were produced in relatively limited quantities, and are about equal in terms of rarity/value, so you should be able to come up with an average price range.

Thank you so much for all the information. I am considering selling the piece, as we are to that age of downsizing! I did look on e-bay but found nothing that I thought was close. I will continue to check in current and past auctions. Again, thank you very much.