'A talk on trousers'--Burt Shepard (1902).

[Viva-Tonal]

Here's something that is, to me, a sort of technical oddity amongst Victor double-face records: a release on this format of a pre-matrix series master. Generally, with the adoption of the five-step pressing process (aka the 'Victor Master Disc' matrix method) in April 1903, Victor re-recorded most of their biggest-selling titles, eventually coupling many of them into double-face records whose catalogue numbers began at 16000 in October 1908.

One case in point is the A side of Victor 16108: the comic monologue called variously 'Limburger cheese' or latterly 'The boy and the cheese'. It was first recorded by George Broderick in the summer of 1900 and released on Consolidated A-7. This was a 7 inch record. In July 1901 Burt Shepard recorded it for both 7 inch and the new 10 inch record sizes, and they were released as Victor A-7, and Monarch B-7, respectively. On 22 July 1904, he remade what by now was called 'The boy and the cheese' on 7 inch matrix A.1647 and 10 inch matrix B.1647. The single-face editions of these new recordings still retained Victor catalogue number 7. My copy of 16108 has '16108A' stamped at the 6 o'clock position, '7' stamped at the 12 o'clock position.

The other side is where it gets interesting. Although the listings of data for 16108-B show matrix B.1646, either take 1 from 22 July 1904 or take 3 from 26 July 1904 as being used for issue, my copy has what must be the take 1 (no take digit written in the dead wax at the 9 o'clock position) of pre-matrix series Monarch 1704, as that number is handwritten (not stamped) in the dead wax at the 12 o'clock position.



'16108B' is stamped into it at the 6 o'clock position however. The recording date shown for Monarch (B) 1704 is 18th October 1902.

Transferred at 74 rpm. Click on the label!

[Guest]

Hi, I have just this minute come across one of the Burt Shepard Limburger Cheese single sided records. Its on a His Masters Voice Monarch Label no '7'. there are no stamped numbers but written on the pressing at the top is a '7' and at the nine o'clock a no'2'. Under the label you can see the hand written impression 'Limberger Cheese Shephard. Interesting how they spelt the surname in two different ways - which is correct I wonder?