Harmony Disc Record

[Edisonfan]

Here is another one of my "just" label finds.


Check out the size of the hole? Too large to play on my Victrola.

The other side had B. Murray above the label, though I seriously doubt that's his signature. Looks more like it was written in a black magic marker.

I have a few other unusual label records. A couple Standard records, plus a Guardsman Record.

Paul

[gramophoneshane]

Which Guardsman label did you get? Just curious They had quite a few different colours and styles.

A little bit of trivia about the Guardsman label is the picture of a guardsman on the label was taken from a painting by Francis Barraud (who also painted the famous HMV trademark).

[Edisonfan]

It's purple and gold. Looks like a Millitary Conductor?

[Neophone]

Paul,

The Harmony Disc Record was a client label of Columbia. Harmony Disc, Standard, United were among others Columbia pressings.

Paul could you "donate" an image of the Guardsman label?

Regards,
John

[Edisonfan]

Here is the best I can do. Since I do not have a scanner.

Paul

[Neophone]

Paul,

Thanks so much. I've never seen on of those before!

Regards,
John

[Edisonfan]

You're welcome, John.

I had never seen one before either. They were made throughout England. I'm hoping some of our U.K. members could shed some light on this.


Paul

[gramophoneshane]

Guardsman was launched in 1914, & Guardsman records were a successor to Invicta records. The records were initially pressed by Crystalate using Invicta masters (some early issues are just a small sticker over old stock). The numbering was in a 3-digit series continuing from where Invicta left off, and the label seemed to vary in colour at random. In 1922, Vocalion took over the pressing and, using their own masters and those from Gennett & Vocalion, continued the label until 1928 when they ceased 10" records, by which time the numbers had reached the early 2100s.
They're really not that hard to find here in Oz, so they're probably quite common in UK.
I've actually got a few Guardsman label variations pictured on John's Yahoo group board, including the one above. I think the purple label dates from 1914-16 or there abouts.

You can read a bit about the Crystalate company here-

http://books.google.com/books?id=xV6tgh ... ds&f=false

[Edisonfan]

Thank You for the info Shane.

Paul