1906
Victor Auxetophone

This is SN#195, an example of the early "Queen Anne" style Victor Auxetophone (ca 1906 through early 1907). As of early 2008, only seven of this style cabinet have been found.

There is a second version known as the "Louis XVI" in a more ornate cabinet. Eleven of these cabinets have been found.

An even more elaborate option has been found in Belgium in a "Flemish" cabinet. Only one of this style is currently known to exist.

Due to the extreme weight and unwieldiness of this motor/blower, most have been removed and lost through the years. Seen below is the only known example of the early style motor/blower assembly that was found with this Victor Auxetophone.

For a detailed website on the topic of all things Victor Auxetophone visit Victor expert Bob Baumbach's website.

Visit Douglas Self's online Auxetophone museum at his very detailed website here.

See Rene Rondeau's Auxetophone and YouTube demonstration here.

Front of the Auxetophone motor/blower

This is an original, early example. Later improved versions were offered. Since the majority of these motors are missing, the talented machinst/restorer Paul Baker has made accurate, though technically superior replacements.

1906
Victor Auxetophone

Rear of the Auxetophone motor/blower

One of the brass motor shaft oilers can be seen. There is another to the left of the motor. In the picture above you can see two nickeled shaft oilers for the blower. The oilers have cotton wicks that stick up onto the shafts. The oilers are to be kept filled with a light machine oil.

Inside of the Auxetophone blower (end cap removed)

Shown is the mechanism used to increase air volume. The major components are a brass flywheel, inside of that are 4 independent, flat metal pieces (the rotating vane principle). Each pair of these slides through the flywheel as it rotates. On the left side of the chamber you can see a series of about 50-100 holes. There is a similar pattern on the right (cannot be seen in the picture). As the flywheel is turned counter-clockwise at 1100rpm, the metal vanes slide and "catch" air from the intake (left). This air is pushed into the exhaust chamber (right) and into the condensor (large nickeled, perpendicular cylinder).

1906
Victor Auxetophone

Inside of the Auxetophone blower (end cap removed) closeup.

Original motor/blowers for the Victor Auxetophone required a lot of maintenance and an unsual startup procedure. For example, the in-line air filter needed (not shown) to be removed every time the motor was started. It is to be run for 3-4 minutes until the blower is fully lubed and warmed. Only then should the machine be reassembled and played.

A light machine oil is to be applied to the blower through the spring-loaded check valve (seen on top of the blower).

Auxetophone motor ID plate

Paul Baker restored this original blower and it functions flawlessly. One difference between the motors is that Paul's run at 1750rpm while originals runs at 1100rpm. The effect being much louder playback and slightly louder motor on the Baker blower.

1906
Victor Auxetophone