Orchorsol

[epigramophone]

Having published this picture in the current CLPGS magazine I thought I would share it with the Forum.

The Steinway Hall Test referred to on the record cover was an open competition organised by "The Gramophone" magazine, and took place on 14th June 1924.

The competition was judged by a panel of experts and by the audience itself. The overall results when aggregated awarded the Gold Medal to the Orchorsol and the Silver to E.M.Ginn's Magnaphone.

Alas the glory days of Orchorsol were short. Their final effort was a rather ordinary portable whose only distinguishing feature was it's soundbox, which incorporated elaborate provision for adjustment.

[soundgen]

The competition was judged by a panel of experts and by the audience itself. The overall results when aggregated awarded the Gold Medal to the Orchestral and the Silver to E.M.Ginn's Magnaphone.

On the record label it says that " Orchorsol were the Gold and Silver Medalists " So did E.M.Ginn's Magnaphone get a Bronze ?.

[epigramophone]

There were two classes in the competition, Class 1 for machines costing up to £25 and Class 2 with no price limit.

The results placed the Magnaphone 4th in Class 1 but 2nd in Class 2, for which it won the Silver medal. The organisers then decided to aggregate the scores. This placed the Magnaphone 2nd overall, for which it was awarded a further Silver medal. I don't have the full results of the competition, but can only assume that the Orchorsol was awarded the Silver medal in Class 1.

[chunnybh]

Here are the pages from The Gramophone July 1924.

[soundgen]

That's even more confusing , Orchorsol were second in class 1 ( silver ? ) and 3rd in Class 2 ( Bronze ? ) so how did they get Gold and Silver as per their record sleeve

Magnaphone were 6th in both categories

[epigramophone]

Confused? So am I, but there was no Advertising Standards Authority in 1924......

[soundgen]

It says the final results would be in an August edition , perhaps someone could find a copy

[gramotalk]

That's even more confusing , Orchorsol were second in class 1 ( silver ? ) and 3rd in Class 2 ( Bronze ? ) so how did they get Gold and Silver as per their record sleeve

Magnaphone were 6th in both categories

In order of performance of the first record....

[emgcr]

It says the final results would be in an August edition , perhaps someone could find a copy

I have not had time to read yet but here is the August 1924 copy :

Click on image for clarity.

[Orchorsol]

Here's an advertisement of the time, referring to their success. The baby's head logo is the stuff of nightmares - ??!!