Victor Victrola Radio Electrola 9-56 to RE-156 hand-painted Chinese cabinet

Description

Victor Victrola Radio Electrola 9-56 changed to RE-156 hand-painted Chinese walnut cabinet.  Supposedly only about 280 of these were sold and fewer of the 956.  I bought  this back in 1985 at an auction in Manhattan, NYC, being sold as  a "hand-painted Chinese cabinet" for 0.00 (about 85. in today's dollar) plus commission and sales tax.  I believe I was the only one who recognized it to be a Victor RE-156 and found the metal tag in back which states:  RE 156   620.  I think 620 is the serial number.  Probably they started at at 600? I have never seen another 156 or 956 for sale anywhere.  Somewhere there is the one shown in my photo of a photo from the internet.  I saw one in the Eldridge Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover, Delaware (well worth a visit!).  Theirs is also missing the radio and record playing equipment, but it does have the grille.  I do not know if the Chinese paintings were done at the factory.  My friend, who has a nice collection of Electrolas and other phonographs does think they were done by Victor on special order.  The paintings are also on the sides.  I have crowded furnishings in here, and so was not able to take photos of the sides at this time, but they are in good condition. I found four NOS unused record albums for about 0.00, three shown in photo.  Also bought six new reproductions of the spines to cover some similar albums.  I have been using the cabinet for storage while I  find parts for restoration.  I have the radio parts (from RE-45 or RE-75 to sell in addition if someone needs), but still looking for a proper grill and most likely would need to have one made.  Otherwise, the cabinet looks great after 90 years.  A one square inch piece of veneer is missing from corner of door (see photo) and some paint chipped off in a few spots can easily be touched up, once color of finish is found.  Veneer is solid otherwise.  Please note that two of my photos show other machines to show what the complete outfit should look like.  Height is 64", width is 38", depth is 20 1/2".   There is a nice write-up about both the 956 and 156 on the Victor-Victrola page for anyone interested.   I am moving and cannot take everything, so have to sell most of collection.   Take a look, make an offer, and let me know if you have further input.