Nipper, Berliner, Machines and Records

[AllenKoe]

Hi,

I am inquiring whether anyone here attended an ARSC Conference (Luncheon) held in conjunction with NARA (National Archives) at the Library of Congress, back in Feb 1978. Its purpose was to honor the life and work of Emile Berliner.

Supposedly, on Display for that occasion, was a "Ghost Nipper" anti-piracy device used in an actual 7" Berliner disc. At the time, no one had figured out how this ghostly image was embedded 'in the grooves,' designed to prevent counterfeiting, a major issue at the time (ca 1900). Anyone still have the printed Program?

After some exhaustive research, the methodology of the subtle optical device has been uncovered and will be revealed in the June 2022 issue of 'Antique Phonograph.' The intriguing title of the article is: "Nipper's Arrival in the New World."

There will also be major corrections in the traditional timelines usually given (Gelatt, Edge/Petts, etc) for the way that Nipper moved from England to Canada and the US. Did Emile Berliner really see the Barraud painting of the Trademark Gramophone in April-May 1900 (in London), as so often claimed? What exactly was trademarked and who trademarked it?

The fact that the original covers of the June 1900 catalog of the Berliner Gramophone Co are still lacking from the sole surviving copy (at LoC), has not prevented the author from deducing what image appeared on the Front of the missing Binding. It is somewhat ironic (curious anyway) that the record displayed thereon, Sousa's 'Stars and Stripes Forever,' #0228, has never been seen or found since it was recorded (as a remake of the 1899 NY original) in Philly on April 11, 1900.

The article will also discuss Eldridge Johnson's first printed catalog of machines and discs ('Consolidated') and remark on how it contained 5 earlier Berliner records within (and denoted as such). When did Nipper, the spunky mutt from an artistic family, begin to represent a major inventive, musical and creative force in American and world-wide music?

Be among the first to gaze inside Berliner's own shop window and contemplate what was on display there on Opening Day.

Should be a good year for Berliner research.

Allen

[Shawn]

Allen,

That is an amazing amount of information to take in!! I can't wait!!

Shawn

[AudioAntique]

This article should really arouse the curiosity of anyone who had done previous investigation of Berliner's acquisition of Nipper and the HMV trademark, the mystery of the logo imprint in the record grooves, and other related information. Your extensive research and discoveries will be exciting to read.
Rob & Joan