Victor Radio with Electrola · Pre-war and wartime record sleeves up to 1945

Victor “Play this Record on the new Victor Radio with Electrola”

An American Victor sleeve advertising the combined radio and electric gramophone, from the first years after RCA took over Victor.

Dating at a glance

Printed: c. 1930 – 1934
most likely about 1930–31
In use: Early 1930s
Confidence: Medium
Basis: The company name on the back, and the sleeve’s “thirty years”

The sleeve

Buff paper printed in black, with line drawings of a dance band, a man in top hat and tails, a clown, dancing couples, a ukulele player and a woman in a crinoline. The front reads:

Play this Record on the new VICTOR RADIO with ELECTROLA — and hear ALL the Music!

The back is headed The music you want ~ When you want it ~ on Victor Records and The best instrumental music ~ any time ~ in your home ~, over a drawing of a piano quartet. One panel, The World’s Greatest Musical Instrument, calls Victor Radio with Electrola the culminating achievement of Victor’s thirty years of leadership in the art of sound reproduction. The other, Do you know, mentions Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Russian Easter Overture (7018–7019). Records suggested include John McCormack (1452), the Victor Salon Orchestra (20176), Feodor Chaliapin (6822) and the Victor Concert Orchestra (20169). The foot reads Victor Division RCA Victor Company, Inc. Camden, N.J. U.S.A. A small artist’s signature appears beside one drawing on the front; we could not read it.

Buff Victor sleeve front with line drawings of entertainers and dancers and the words Play this Record on the new Victor Radio with Electrola and hear all the music. — Front. Select the image for a larger view.

Buff Victor sleeve back with a drawing of a piano quartet, two text panels and the RCA Victor Company, Inc. imprint. — Back: Victor Division, RCA Victor Company, Inc.

The evidence

DocumentedThe company name. The Library of Congress name authority says Victor joined RCA in 1929, the company became RCA Victor Company in 1930, and in 1934 it merged into RCA Manufacturing Company. A sleeve signed “RCA Victor Company, Inc.” fits about 1930–1934.
Inferred“Thirty years of leadership”. The Victor Talking Machine Company was incorporated in 1901 (same source), so thirty years points to about 1930–31. Advertising copy may round, so this is a loose clue.
Inferred“The new Victor Radio with Electrola” presents the set as new. We have not sourced its introduction date.

Sources

Library of Congress name authority, RCA-Victor Company (company history note): https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n81120296.html
Library of Congress name authority, Victor Talking Machine Company: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n81120297.html

What we could not find

When Victor Radio with Electrola models were first advertised.
Release dates for the records named, especially 7018–7019 and 20169.

Researched 12 November 2026 from Simon’s photographs of that evening.