Key: Vibroplex Martin Junior
Serial: 80021
Vintage: 1920
Acquired: April 13, 2026
Plate: D1 | 825 Broadway N.Y. | 6 Patents
Base: Black paint (unoriginal)
Back to Vibroplex Key Collection
Click on an image to enlarge. All photos are original works by the author.
Review
In the early 1920s, the Vibroplex company was offering the Original model bug with a special-order 2-3/4 lbs. smaller base. The smaller base was 3″ by 6″, a significant difference from the standard 3-1/2″ by 6-3/8″ bases found on the other bugs. Another 3″-wide key would make an appearance later in 1939 with the Zephyr. Apart from the smaller base size, the top parts were borrowed from the Original model.
It was not until 1934, that Vibroplex started to officially market the Martin Junior as a wholly separate model. The new model lasted until 1939 when it was discontinued.
Base color options for the Martin Junior consisted of just a black japanned finish or nickel-plated on the “early” versions. Black japanned bases were the only option for those versions between 1934 and 1939.
The Martin Junior example I have, with serial 80021, has apparently been restored by a previous owner. The black japanned base has made way for a black enameled base. The top parts’ nickel plating has mostly been lost, showing the brass underneath. A keen-eyed collector might notice that the nameplate orientation on my example is wrong. The nameplate on the Martin Juniors were “flipped” compared to the orientation on other Vibroplex models with the flat side of the plate facing the connection posts. I presume the previous owner of my Martin Junior forgot how the plate was oriented prior to his restoration and simply reattached it in the same fashion as his other bugs. It is what it is. Maybe he just liked the way the plate looks in the more traditional orientation?
I haven’t seen too many Martin Juniors available for sale, but they do appear from time to time as part of auction lots online. Their production spanned thirteen years, though only as an official Vibroplex model for the last five of those years.
Collectible Martin Juniors would include an early model with a nickel-plated base. These smaller bugs are neat, in my opinion, so having one in your collection is a must.
k2mas.net is not affiliated with the Vibroplex Co., Inc. “Vibroplex”, “Lightning Bug” and the bug logo are trademarks of The Vibroplex Co., Inc.
K2MAS.net 