History of 6 inch discs?

[KCW]

When did they stop making 6 inch discs? Just got a victor R and was curious when 6 inch discs were phased out. Does anyone know?

[Lucius1958]

Are you referring to Victor specifically, or 6 inch discs in general? I'm not aware that Victor ever made 6 inch discs; as far as I know, the 7 inch disc was their smallest size.

- Bill

[KCW]

Victor for sure but also overall. When were these smaller records phased out? I’m having some trouble locating records for my Victor R. It seems that these smaller records are certainly scarcer, leading me to think that they were phased out earlier.

[OrthoFan]

The smaller size Victor records -- seven inch and eight inch (not six) -- were available until 1907 and 1909, respectively. SEE: viewtopic.php?t=51428

The only six inch format Victor (RCA) discs I'm aware of were home recording blanks -- https://adp.eks.dld.library.ucsb.edu/in ... ing_blanks produced during the 1930s.

OrthoFan

[KCW]

This is very useful! It seems to me that finding these old 7 inch records isn’t exactly easy. Is there a particular place to find these other than folks here and eBay?

Also, what was the diameter of old Berliner discs? I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a few of these.

[OrthoFan]

This is very useful! It seems to me that finding these old 7 inch records isn’t exactly easy. Is there a particular place to find these other than folks here and eBay?

Also, what was the diameter of old Berliner discs? I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a few of these.

As small as five inches but the vast majority were approximately seven inches.

SEE -- http://www.centuryoldsounds.com/Berliner.html

[Inigo]

In Spain, the early Gramophone catalogues (1903-1907) included 7" discs and also what they called 'baby' 5" discs (discos bebé) st reduced prices.

[KCW]

When did Berliner stop production of his gramophone discs? They seem to be pretty rare and go for pretty high prices online.

[kiwiatlarge]

When did Berliner stop production of his gramophone discs? They seem to be pretty rare and go for pretty high prices online.

Yes quite rare and you won't find them for less than $100 unless you get super lucky or they are in poor condition. I won't play my Berliner discs on my machines because I don't want to cause unnecessary wear. I don't play my later Victor 7" and 8" very often either.

Here is a good article on the Emile Berliner and the early history of 78s. Production of Berliner 7 " discs ends around 1900 in the US. https://www.loc.gov/collections/emile-b ... ramophone/.

All is not lost though in your quest for 7" discs for your R. I play Emerson 7" 78s on my smaller machines. These are much more affordable and I've found them for 50 cents in thrift stores. Even eBay has them for $5 at times and sometimes lots of several come up at affordable prices on eBay or on this forum. Reach out to

FellowCollector on this forum often has 7" discs for sale from affordable Emerson's to spendy Berliner's You could PM him to see what he has available.

[KCW]

Great advice: there are some Emerson’s on eBay too! Prices are not too bad. Really want to pick up a Berliner. Had an opportunity to get a Berliner phonograph years back for fairly cheap and passed on it. Totally regret it now! Can’t afford one any more but have SO many machines it’s gotten a little ridiculous. Will make up for it with some Berliner records and definitely some Emerson and a few Victor too!