Edison Royal Purple

[KCW]

Hello everyone!

I recently developed an interest in the Edison Royal Purple cylinders. It doesn’t seem they’re readily available to purchase. Are they really that rare? How many are in the series? Looking to build my knowledge base. Some of the recordings of them online are amazing!

KC

[edisonplayer]

There's only one dubbing in the Royal Purple series dubbed from an unissued Diamond Disc,"Valse Sentimentale"by Albert Spalding,number 29058.edisonplayer

[52089]

Cylinders numbered 29007-29077 were originally issued as Royal Purples between 1918-1921. The earlier numbers are generally easier to find. They were more expensive than the regular Blue Amberols and do not appear to have sold well overall. All are dubbed from Diamond Discs, so the fidelity is not outstanding. Some are better than others. As another poster noted, only one (29058) comes from otherwise unreleased material.

If you are just looking for a random title to have one in your collection, the common ones generally sell for $30-$40 depending on whether they have the correct box and/or lid.

The CLPGS (clpgs.org.uk) sells 2 CDs with every Royal Purple title in their "reference series". Numbers RS17 and RS18, 11 Pounds each for non-members, 10 Pounds each for members.

It is also worth noting that many of the Royal Purple recordings were also later reissued as Blue Amberols and are quite scarce in this format. A board search will give you much more info, examples, etc. Discographies are available in the Sutton and Dethlefson Blue Amberol books.

[epigramophone]

Apart from the first five titles 29001 to 29005 by Alessandro Bonci, all the Royal purple cylinders were acoustically dubbed from Diamond Discs, with the well known deterioration in sound quality which the dubbing process entailed.

If you want to own all the titles at a reasonable price, the City of London Phonograph & Gramophone Society http://www.clpgs.org.uk has reissued them on four CD's in two informative booklets, CLPGS Reference Series Nos. 17 and 18. The booklets cost GBP£11 each to non-members, plus postage depending on your location.

P.S. This thread really belongs in the Music section.

Sorry to have duplicated some of 52089's reply, which I did not see until after my post appeared.

[KCW]

Thank you for this information! I would love to own a few originals. Can anyone point me towards a resource where I might find them? Thank you for all of this information! Very very useful.

Sincerely,

KC

[52089]

Thank you for this information! I would love to own a few originals. Can anyone point me towards a resource where I might find them? Thank you for all of this information! Very very useful.

Sincerely,

KC

They do show up on ebay occasionally, and you can usually find a bunch at any antique phonograph show. If you ping me after the holidays, I'm sure I have 1 or 2 I can sell you.

[krkey1]

They are not common but they are not really rare either. Just be patient.

[KCW]

Wow! Bought the City of London Phonograph & Gramophone Society CD set and absolutely love it! Such a cool series but these cylinders are tough to find!

[Jerry B.]

Recently I had one listed on the Music Trader at $35 in original box but there was no interest. Jerry Blais

[rgordon939]

Cylinders numbered 29007-29077 were originally issued as Royal Purples between 1918-1921. The earlier numbers are generally easier to find. They were more expensive than the regular Blue Amberols and do not appear to have sold well overall. All are dubbed from Diamond Discs, so the fidelity is not outstanding. Some are better than others. As another poster noted, only one (29058) comes from otherwise unreleased material.

If you are just looking for a random title to have one in your collection, the common ones generally sell for $30-$40 depending on whether they have the correct box and/or lid.

The CLPGS (clpgs.org.uk) sells 2 CDs with every Royal Purple title in their "reference series". Numbers RS17 and RS18, 11 Pounds each for non-members, 10 Pounds each for members.

It is also worth noting that many of the Royal Purple recordings were also later reissued as Blue Amberols and are quite scarce in this format. A board search will give you much more info, examples, etc. Discographies are available in the Sutton and Dethlefson Blue Amberol books.

Are the Royal Purple cylinders that were later reissued as Blue Amberol cylinders the same 29000 numbers?

Rich Gordon