Columbia boxes

[gramophoneshane]

While we're talking Columbia boxes, I thought I'd post a couple I have.
One is from London & the other Tasmania. I've never seen these types of paste over labels applied to Edison Boxes before.
Was this something that Columbia okayed, did stores just do it of their own choice, or might these have been applied by stores after Columbia stopped making cylinders to freshen up old stocks?

[Valecnik]

I have a feeling that what's happening is the 2 min records are shrinking the same as the 4 mins, but not enough to make them ship a groove. I'd say that this shrinkage causes the groove walls to pull in closer, which means the sapphire rides up (is lifted by the walls) from the bottom of the groove, causing the wavering sound to occur.
I'm betting that if Rocky plays those same cylinders with a conical diamond stylus, the stylus will sit firmly in the bottom of the groove & they'll sound perfect.

This might also explain why I've typically not experienced any problem with indestructibles using an O or M. Both allow the stylus more freedom of movement than does a C.

Where I have really noticed 2 min record shrinkage to be a problem is on the Lakeside or US cylinders. I have some of those that skip even with an O or M reproducer even though the playing surface looks flawless.

[EdisonSquirrel]

I wonder what Edison's response would be if If could tell him that Columbia cylinders don't play right on his machines.





Rocky

[Valecnik]

I wonder what Edison's response would be if If could tell him that Columbia cylinders don't play right on his machines.





Rocky

The diamond disc envelopes always contained a warning that playing the record on any other machine would void the warranty.

I suppose it follows then that if you play Columbia cylinders on your Edison machine you have voided your warranty on the machine, or at least the warranty on your C reproducer

[FellowCollector]

Two minute Columbia, Albany Indestructible, US Everlasting (Lakeside) are some of my favorite cylinders to play on my machines as they tend to produce lots of volume, especially the Everlastings. The only problem I've had with these types are the light BLUE two minute ones. These seem to have very shallow grooves and, while they're pretty to look at mounted on a machine, of the probably one hundred or so of these blue ones that I have in the collection, few play worth a darn. One of the few I have that does play great is "Blitz and Blatz Among The Indians" and the grooves on that one are not shallow like most of the other blue ones. Perhaps the material mixture was inferior on these blue ones (doubtful) or maybe the master was pretty worn when the blue ones were produced. Occasionally on the Everlasting and Lakesides the outer celluloid covering containing the grooves splits completely! I've found a number of otherwise nice condition (and great titles!) Everlastings that have the covering completely split and separated. Ohhhh boy....

[Valecnik]

Rocky,
I've never had that problem with 2 min indestructibles, so I'm guessing you must be playing yours with a sapphire stylus?

Yes. I'm referring to 2-minute Columbia wax cylinders played with a Model C reproducer.

Rocky

Rocky, thanks for giving me the excuse to post another video. Here's an indestructible, (for next posting I'll find a wax one)played on my Amberola recently imported from Minnesota. (Forgive me, TAE) Sorry for the noise in the background. Small kids have trouble keeping quiet for a whole two minutes.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OBAxuiTxjI[/youtube]

[OrthoSean]

Great record!!! Thanks!!

Sean