Edison "Special Record for Mr. Henry Ford"?

[eighteenbelow]

Hello, everyone. I was sorting through a box of Edison Diamond Discs I've had for a while, and came upon this one. I don't recall ever seeing it before, and it's a mystery to me. I understand Edison and Ford were friends (or at least portrayed themselves as such to the press), but I didn't know Edison made special discs for Ford, nor that Ford (apparently) had a fondness for Polkas. Can anyone tell me more about this record? Was it a one-off, or did Edison press a series of sides for Ford? Were they recorded just for him? Were they sold to the general public, or just distributed to a select few somehow? Any idea when they were recorded?

[melvind]

Here are the DAHR links to both sides of the record. I hope this helps a bit.

https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/ ... boom-de-ay

https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/ ... _toe_polka

[TinfoilPhono]

I know of two different Diamond Disc records made for Ford -- the one you show, and another with "Varsovienne" by a string quartet with song by tenor Arthur Hall on one side, and the same title but as a violin solo, cello solo and string quartet on the other.

I don't know the circumstances under which these were made, but Edison made a lot of them. The Ford Museum had hundreds of these in storage, all new-old-stock with original sleeves, when I first visited their archives in the 1990s while researching my tinfoil phonograph book. About 25 years ago or so they sold a large quantity to a California record dealer, who resold them at high prices. I bought two sets at the time. I sold one set later on but still have the other set, never played.

When I went to "Old Car Festival" at the Ford in 2010 they had a large flea market set up outside the entrance, at which they were selling duplicate copies of all sorts of early books and magazines relating to automobiles. I'd seen similar flea markets at OCF in prior years. But that year I was surprised to see that they had dozens, probably over 100, of each of the two Diamond Disc titles for sale as well -- for $10 each. I really regretted that I was traveling by air and couldn't really handle a quantity of them, so I only bought a few sets, which I later sold.

I don't know how many may still remain in the Ford archives, but there's a good chance that there are plenty of them.

Edison and Ford were indeed very close friends. Ford bought the house adjacent to Edison's winter home in Florida (originally built for Edison's estranged friend Ezra Gilliland), and spent winters with Edison. They also traveled together on extensive road trips in the 'teens. Edison admired Ford, while Ford absolutely revered Edison. When the Ford Museum opened in 1929, it was called the Edison Institute.

[ChesterCheetah18]

I too have both of the records, both in like new condition. Henry Ford was a huge fan of "old-time" dancing, like quadrilles, etc. On the second floor of one of the buildings at Greenfield Village (The Henry Ford) he had a very large ballroom constructed with the floor laid atop coil springs specifically for this purpose.
I can't remember where, but I recall reading that Ford had these records pressed by Edison to distribute to schools to teach the youngsters these old dances. Judging by the amount of pristine copies that turn up, I'm guessing not many of them were actually distributed.

Steve

[eighteenbelow]

Thanks for the responses. Coincidentally, going through a completely different box just now I found the attached disc, and now I'm wondering how, if at all, it may be related to the first. Was this a "gift" from Edison to Ford? Did Ford commission these? Were they sold, or just given away?

FWIW, both of my discs are well-used, and came out of old homes, not from collectors. I doubt they were originally purchased (or gifted) in Dearborn.

[ChesterCheetah18]

After consulting George A. Copeland and Allan W. Sherman's "Collector's Guide To Edison Records" (pg. 39), I see that there were actually three "Special Records" pressed for Henry Ford. These had no catalog numbers, and were not sold to the general public.
The second record you posted (catalog #51699) was recorded by a group organized by Ford, again to promote the "old-time" style of dancing Ford loved so much. These were regular catalog issues from 1926 and 1927. That orchestra also made recordings for Victor, although the only Victor pressings I've seen are acoustic recordings on the "batwing" label, dating them prior to late 1925. I would also point out that although the Edison titles mentioned are the same, they have different matrix numbers.
To sum it up, the "Specially Made" records were essentially private pressings made by Ford, although it seems there were a large number of them made. They were not sold to the general public. The "Ford's Old-Time Dance Orchestra" records were commercially pressed for sale to the public.
Hopefully this answers your questions.

Steve

[eighteenbelow]

Hopefully this answers your questions.

It certainly does! Thanks, Steve.

[Marco Gilardetti]

recorded by a group organized by Ford, again to promote the "old-time" style of dancing Ford loved so much.

Whereas, after reading the learned essay by Carlos about Edison's discography, I am no longer inclined to view it under commonplaces perspective, still it's remarkable as whatever went under Edison's direct control was sort of rearguard in style.

[JerryVan]

On the second floor of one of the buildings at Greenfield Village (The Henry Ford) he had a very large ballroom constructed with the floor laid atop coil springs specifically for this purpose.

Steve

The building is called Lovett Hall, after Ford's dance instructor Benjamin Lovett. I have been to that ballroom many times.

[ChesterCheetah18]

As most probably know, Stanton's auction of Don Gfell's estate started today. Among the many fantastic items in the auction are two of the three "Specially Made For Mr. Henry Ford" Diamond Discs. This item is included with one of the records. I haven't seen it before, and thought I would post it for reference. I'm guessing it was originally printed by the Ford Museum.

Steve