Trade Mark Berliner - presented to Peter Dawson in 1948

[recordo]

This wonderful machine was presented to the famous Australian Bass-Baritone, Peter Dawson, by Sir Ernest Fisk and Fred Gaisberg of HMV in 1948 in recognition of his many, many years of exclusive recordings with the company. He was also given the latest model radiogram as well at the same presentation. Peter Dawson made his first recording for The Gramophone and Typewriter Company in 1906. He had previously recorded for Edison, Edison Bell, Sterling and other cylinder concerns. His last recordings were made (I think) in 1957.

This machine was on display today (Sunday September 19, 2010) at the HRSA (Historical Radio Society of Australia) "Radiofest" in Canberra. It was worth the drive down from Sydney just to see this machine which belongs to a friend of mine. Sorry about all the background noise (talking, etc) - it was a busy day with lots of eager collectors in attendance.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jt_OMAKNoQ[/youtube]

[recordo]

You can see the machine behind Sir Ernest Fisk in this photo.

[recordo]

Here's a recording of Peter Dawson doing his own ad for HMV in 1934.

http://www.glennamer.com/Dawson%20Disk% ... 0%2011.mp3

[gramophoneshane]

Actually, it must have been 1905 when he started recording for G&T, if not 1904.

This one was recorded Feb 21, 1905
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pnzs_3QNyI[/youtube]

And this one the same day.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZVGkQKUhjI[/youtube]

And another recorded July 26, 1905.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTU3vPWFEU0[/youtube]


Excuse my Skepticism, but how do they know this is the same machine presented to Dawson?
Is their some kind of plaque or written provenance for the machine?

You can see a better image of Dawson & his machine, taken in 1956, here-

http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-vn4782250

Edit: According to wikipedia, Dawson made his first G&T recording in 1904 but was signed to an exclusive recording contract by G&T in 1906. He was however allowed to continue recording for Edison, but only on cylinder record, until the London office closed in 1914. His last recording was made in 1958 apparently.

[estott]

The text says Dawson was presented with a "copy" of the machine- is this a 1940's era duplicate?

[gramophoneshane]

The text says Dawson was presented with a "copy" of the machine- is this a 1940's era duplicate?

Something about the decal (from what I could see) didn't look quite right to me. Perhaps this is why.

[Starkton]

The text says Dawson was presented with a "copy" of the machine- is this a 1940's era duplicate?

Something about the decal (from what I could see) didn't look quite right to me. Perhaps this is why.

I wished it was for sale and everybody ignored it - everybody but me of course - because of the unusual decal

The decal is in nice condition and absolutely correct for a late 1899 or 1900 instrument assembled by the Gramophone & Co. Ltd. It even bears the address label from IMHOF & MUKLE, 110, New Oxford Street, LONDON, W.C., dealing in gramophones since 1898. What else do you expect from an original decal??

[Nat]

I am a huge fan of Dawson's. John Steene thought him one of the great singers - and my could he sing!

[gramophoneshane]

[quote="Starkton] It even bears the address label from IMHOF & MUKLE, 110, New Oxford Street, LONDON, W.C., dealing in gramophones since 1898. [/quote]

Ah, is that what it says. It was hard for me to make out in the video, and I dont think I've seen that decal before. I'm more familiar with the later recording angle decal & some variations on UK machines. You're the expert on all things Berliner though, so thanks for the heads up.

[recordo]

thanks for all your replies.

Shane - your videos are always great! I looked up "Fifty Years of Song" to see when he started recording for G&T. Dawson stated 1906 - I really should have gone back to a more reliable source!

Regarding the provenance of the machine: In 1956 Peter Dawson gave it to his brother and sister-in-law, who passed it onto their son Thomas Dawson. He in turn passed it on to his son Tony Dawson from whom the owner purchased it in 2009. The best part of the story? When Tony Dawson wanted to sell it, he merely contacted the local antiques dealer in his town. The owner of the shop wasn't interested in another gramophone (he probably thought he was being offered yet another crapophone!) and just advised Tony to telephone the local gramophone guy (who he knew) who is now the happy present owner! Talk about the one the got away!