The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have collected US brand electrically recorded records for many years. I have only recently started on HMV records. Is there a easy way to tell an electric HMV from an acoustic? I realize at some point they put the VE on the record run out or on the label. But I have some records that are obviously electric recorded that I cannot find any distinctive markings

Thanks!

Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN

HMV did not identify electrical recordings on their labels, but their catalogue numbers can be used as a rough dating guide.
Taking 1925 as the transitional year between acoustic and electric, anything after the following numbers is likely to be electric :

B2200, C1250, D1050, DA800, DB900.

These indicate the approximate dates of release, not recording, so there will always be exceptions. Your ears are the best guide.

Don´t electrical HMV´s always have a triangle in the runout area, right after the matrix number?

After further investigation I see that HMV did indeed identify the recording method in the run-out area of the record after the matrix number. Triangle for the Western Electric method and later a square for the HMV electric processes.