Question about Edison DD test pressings

[Paal1994]

Hi all,

I recently bought an Edison Test Pressing record. I wonder if these are rare? How many numbers were they pressed in?

Paal.

[Valecnik]

Hi Paal,

Tell us more about it. A picture would be great too!

[Paal1994]

Bruce,

It's "After I've Called You Sweetheart (How Can I Call You Friend)" by Al Friedman and his Orchestra and vocal by Happy Jack (J.Donald Parker).
This is take A and B. Not sure if these takes were on the released record (52342)

Picture is from the ad on eBay.

Paal.

[wheelgun357]

im pretty sure it is NOT a test pressing, looks like just the labels fell off and someone wrote the title in by hand in pencil, i have lots of DD like this, the labels would fall off especially if they got damp or humid out,,

[Paal1994]

im pretty sure it is NOT a test pressing, looks like just the labels fell off and someone wrote the title in by hand in pencil, i have lots of DD like this, the labels would fall off especially if they got damp or humid out,,

According to the description it's the same song on both sides, only different takes. I don't know any record that was released with same artists and songs on both sides. But I'll be able to tell more when I get it.

Here's a YouTube video of a test pressing:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Amb5tmXZxY[/youtube]

Paal.

[OrthoSean]

Edison tests tend to have an unfinished edge and are usually about 10.5 inches across, although I have a couple that are closer to 11. They almost always seem to be much quieter and higher quality pressings as well (more layers of condensite, I've always thought).

I've got several dozen of them, most of which were bought from Mike Devecka who got them years ago from a former Edison employee. The balance of the ones I have came from a large collection I bought about two years back, and while some of them did not have unfinished edges, they definitely are test pressings, a couple like you mention, Paal, have two different takes on them, while a couple of others have different catalog numbers of each side.

I doubt they were pressed in great numbers, although I have heard of employees pressing up copies for themselves and taking them home.

Sean

[Valecnik]

I now understand what you mean Paal. i too thought it might be a standard record missing it's label. If it's the same song, different takes on both sides, it probably is a test pressing. Let us know when you get it.

[OrthoSean]

If you look closely at the pic Paal uploaded, you can see the larger lead-in area than that of a standard pressing, which I'll bet means this copy has an unfinished edge. If I think of it later, I'll take a picture and upload one of the unfinished edhe tests I've got so y'all can see what I'm talking about in better detail.

Sean

[Valecnik]

I would appreciate if you are able to upload the pictures Sean. This is a topic I know very little about, (one of many in that category)

[OrthoSean]

Will do! I've added it to my "after work things to do" list

Sean