I scoured the internet for any bit of information and came up empty. Just questions from the scant few that had one and asked about it. Now, thanks to a fan of the Andrews Sisters, the most definitive answer to "why" they exist has emerged, and with further digging based on the supplied information,the answer to "when".
This low resolution scan of an advertisement was sent to me. It clearly shows "why" these little records exist.
- s-l1600.jpg (56.37 KiB) Viewed 875 times
The department store that sold them is The Broadway Southern California. The ad shows their 5 locations. The newest of the five opened in 1950 and in 1955 two more stores opened. Now have the "when". I'm sure future record hounds will be searching newspaper ads in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Pasadena, Crenshaw, and Westchester to get a some more information.
Here’s the text for this low resolution ad just added. I’m sure I’ve made a few minor errors, as it was very hard to decipher.
Shop all 5 Broadway stores Friday evenings.
Shop Friday Morning 9:30 am, The Broadway downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and Pasadena.
Top tunes by the Andrews Sisters on real, playable records! That’s the fun on Bari-Joy’s Platter Belts. $2.25
Now you wear your own jam session, right around your waist! Unbreakable miniature records that snap off to play on your phonograph. Many of the Andrews Sisters’ swingin’est tunes to choose from. Belts in two styles in smart plastic calf: black, brown, navy, red, green, white or luggage tan.
The Broadway - personal leather goods - all 5 stores.
In person! The Andrews Sisters in the Auditorium of our Crenshaw store tomorrow Saturday at 11:30 am. Come meet them, and receive their autographed photograph with our compliments.
The Broadway Southern California
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I searched for "Bari-Joy" and nothing came of it.
Well there we now have it.
James.