King George V Christmas Record, 1935

[JHolmesesq]

This isn't really music per se - however I find it fascinating to listen to from a historical context. It's a gramophone record of King George V's Christmas Message from 1935. Apparently even though the speeches were broadcast on the wireless - for overseas listeners this wasn't as easy so the speech was also recorded on to a disc.

Listen to how bad he sounds, his voice is old and raspy and he pauses to cough once. George died in 1936, and already in his speech he hints at the changes happening in Europe , talking of the "anxieties in Europe" and how the friendship and goodwill of the Empire could fight against this.

All in all, a great recording. Happy holidays!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRX2yAlte48[/youtube]

[transformingArt]

Thanks for posting this. I also posted the 1923 recording of George V / Queen Mary on YouTube as well. There are several other commercial recording of the King.

There is also a recording of 'Live speech' of King George V, recorded at Wembley Stadium on April 23rd, 1924. This British Broadcasting Company broadcast was recorded by the acoustic method -- a loudspeaker was placed before an old-fashioned recording horn -- by the Gramophone Company of London, and rush-processed into finished shellac records for a repeat broadcast in the evening. A substantial portion of the broadcast was recorded for possible commercial release on the HMV label, but only the King’s speech is currently confirmed to exist. The sound quality is terrible, but it is still a fascinating documentation of early radio.

[Swing Band Heaven]

Excellent disk. I have the 1934 christmas speech in my collection - I don't have it digitised and provided it makes it in one piece I could also upload this when my stuff arrives. I have various Empire day speeches by Qyeen Mary and other talks by various Princes of Wales. I also have the abdication speech of King Edward - a bootleg copy recorded off the SW radio broadcast and (unsurprisingly) I don't think it was ever issued commercially. All other versions of the abdication speech I have heard (even on a BBC documentary) all exhibit the same defects in sould quality - for example a fading out of the radio signal at a certain point and a loud background buzz at another point so I guess they all originate from the same original recording source. Interestingly it was pressed stateside.

One royal item of interest I do have is a recording of the entire 1937 coronation which is comprised on 26 sides of 12" shellac disks in a massive special purple presentation folder. Inside is a pocket containing notes of the service. However at about 4 mins per side that would equate to a nmber of hours! I've never listened to it though but I will get around to it one day

S-B-H

[Wolfe]

I have Queen Elizabeth's 1952 Christmas Message To The Commonwealth on a 78.

But that's it.

It wouldn't appear that these types of records turn up very often, stateside. Unless you bought them at dealer or auction. I found my record in a jumble shop.

[gramophone78]

I think George V died on Jan. 20/36.So, this was his last recording.

[JHolmesesq]

Wow SBH, the ENTIRE coronation service? That's insane - I can't imagine much that must weigh! It is his final recording. I also have the 1923 Empire Day service and it's interesting to hear how much he has changed in that time.

Wolfe, these records rarely turn up in the states, I doubt that there's as much interest in royal speeches as sought after London dance bands for example. This disc was the 3rd copy I bought - I had 2 shatter in the post previously!

Finally SBH, I'm going to digitise my copy of Edward VIII's abdication speech that I have on a 12" 78 - the difference with my copy is that mine is an exact transcript from the radio broadcast, right down to the bells tolling and Lord Reith announcing "His Royal Heighness Prince Edward"

[gramophone78]

Which Royal recording would be the rarest??.Are there recordings of Victoria?.I have the 10" Berliner (Canadian) empire message label record as well. However, that and even this Xmas GV don't fetch a lot of money.

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Here's what the Daily Telegraph columnist had to say about the first Christmas broadcast in 1932. The columnist is almost misty-eyed as he sat by the wireless. It was recorded too , I believe. These broadcasts were early " media events" .In the early 30's short wave research had advanced by leaps and bounds so that by 1932 short wave broadcasting technique had become dependable enough so that it could be used in a world wide hook up . They were tremendously thrilling to those in the colonies and the Dominions overseas. My grandparents talked about the first broadcasts in almost the same vein as our columnist here.

Jim

[paddy]

[quote="gramophone78"]I think George V died on Jan. 20/36.So, this was his last recording.

King George 5 Xmas 1935.JPG

[/quote]


I have several of these records and was wondering if they are of any value.

[Lynette]

Does a imaculate copy of this have any value?