Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?

[OddRomanian]

Hello!

I have found this cylinder I was interested in, and I have no idea whether It's a 4 or 2 minute one. It's box doesn't match so I can't know the label, and It's only got the name on It, no serial number, no orchestra, nothing.

I've asked some other collectors and I have gotten conflicting answers.

Can anyone help me determine if It's 2 or 4 minute?

https://imgur.com/a/tv8U62x

[Dulcetto]

Difficult to say for sure without having clearer pictures , but likelihood is that it is a two minute record . The reason I say that is that all the four minute cylinders I have ever seen ( other than Edison Blue Amberol ) are marked in some way to indicate that the record is four minute so as the owner doesn't mistake it for a two minute record. Blue Amberols are not marked as it is evident from their colour , but black wax and black celluloid records are usually marked " 4M " or " 4 minute " in the lettering on the rim end of the cylinder. This record just has the title " Carmen Marsch " and no indication that it not a two minute record so that suggests it IS a two minute record . Regards Dulcetto

[Roaring20s]

More than likely it's a 2 minute record.

Playing it on a 2 minute phonograph with a 2 minute reproducer will not harm the record, so just give it a try. It will either play normally or it will skip.

James.

[drh]

Given the mouse nibbles, I gather it's wax. Did anyone other than Edison even make 4-minute wax cylinders?

[OddRomanian]

Given the mouse nibbles, I gather it's wax. Did anyone other than Edison even make 4-minute wax cylinders?

I'm not sure at all, thank you though!

[OddRomanian]

Difficult to say for sure without having clearer pictures , but likelihood is that it is a two minute record . The reason I say that is that all the four minute cylinders I have ever seen ( other than Edison Blue Amberol ) are marked in some way to indicate that the record is four minute so as the owner doesn't mistake it for a two minute record. Blue Amberols are not marked as it is evident from their colour , but black wax and black celluloid records are usually marked " 4M " or " 4 minute " in the lettering on the rim end of the cylinder. This record just has the title " Carmen Marsch " and no indication that it not a two minute record so that suggests it IS a two minute record . Regards Dulcetto

Very informative, thank you!

[OddRomanian]

More than likely it's a 2 minute record.

Playing it on a 2 minute phonograph with a 2 minute reproducer will not harm the record, so just give it a try. It will either play normally or it will skip.

James.

Thank you!

[paradroid1793]

Given the mouse nibbles, I gather it's wax. Did anyone other than Edison even make 4-minute wax cylinders?

Yes. Oxford & I think Indestructible?

[CarlosV]

Yes. Oxford & I think Indestructible?

You're correct, Indestructible made 4 minute cylinders, I have some of these.

[drh]

Sure, others made 4-minute celluloid cylinders, but I was wondering if anyone besides Edison made them of wax?