Odd Cylinders

[Victrolacollector]

There are some odd cylinder records on ebay, entitled "The Holy City", twelve in all of the same title. I have never seen this box or label before. It says General Phonograph Co......Could this be the same company that Otto Heinemann operated?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OLD-STOCK-O ... 2c91b50c5e

[rgordon939]

General Phonograph Company took over the Otto Heineman Company on September 24, 1919. Here is a Google link about it.

Rich Gordon

http://books.google.com/books?id=hWATAQ ... nd&f=false

[victorIIvictor]

The seventh picture in the lineup shows a close-up of one part of a cylinder box. Here you may read, "this record is manufactured by THE GENERAL PHONOGRAPH CO., Ltd.…"

This would suggest that there was a British General Phonograph Co., which likely predated the Otto Heinemann company in the USA.

Best wishes, Mark

PS, I was disappointed that the cylinders were not indeed white in color, given the brand name.

[epigramophone]

According to Frank Andrews long out of print book "Edison Phonograph, the British connection" James H.White was appointed in 1906 as Managing Director of the General Phonograph Co.Ltd, which had taken over the Lambert company's business. The White 2 minute cylinder became the new record of General Phonograph, retailing at one shilling each.

[rgordon939]

These cylinders were listed on eBay by a seller in England a few months ago. I sure that this is where Mark (croakinfrog) got them.

Rich Gordon

[tinovanderzwan]

i don't know why the price should be so high
these are moulded records post 1903 and this white record co has nothing to do with the (pre)edison bell white record it was an independent record company from the uk
they may not be supper common but they are by no means rare
a normal price for a chrismas record on a label like this would be around 25 to 35 euro's and in bulk less certainly not the 1000+ he's asking!!
i think a bulk price of 200,- would be fair enough



tino

[victorIIvictor]

Tino wrote, "i don't know why the price should be so high"

Because this particular eBay seller's prices for everything he sells are consistently high. And, like a lot of sellers, he starts out listing high and when there are no bites, he gradually lowers the price. I've noticed he never lowers the price by much, however.

I'm sure more seasoned collectors than me know well that you can consistently get better bargains at phono shows than on eBay.

Best wishes, Mark