Strange Recording Studio Photo

[SonnyPhono]

I was looking at pictures I have saved on my computer and came across one that at second glance, looks off to me. This is a picture of Ed Meeker singing for the staff of a New York City recording studio.

Meeker.jpg (28.74 KiB) Viewed 1547 times

Why are 6 out of the 8 listeners holding their noses? One of the gentleman not holding his nose seems to be in agony. Are they implying that Meeker's singing "stinks", or maybe something literally stinks? It just looks funny to me.

[Henry]

Halitosis?

[SonnyPhono]

Halitosis?

[Wolfe]

That picture was on the cover of the Michigan Antique Phonograph society newsletter in March, 2011.

"Edward Meeker Parody Of A Tone Test."

http://www.michiganantiquephonographsoc ... 01102.html

It looks like a staged shot, in any case.

[estott]

It seems the folks at Edison went in for some broad humor. It's not too unusual though, I think there was an effort by many companies to present their artists as everyday people- the Bain archives are full of staged casual shots of many recording artists in the sort of gag poses found in many snapshot albums.

[Lenoirstreetguy]

This pic always amuses me.It's obviously a staged publicity shot. I"m pretty sure the two men sitting to the right of the phonograph are Harvey Emmons and Harry Voorhis, both being members of the recording staff. The fellow standing with the glasses is one of the Edison publicity department...I think....I'll do a little more digging in the Edison Phonograph Monthly.

Jim

[FloridaClay]

Yep, my money is on it being a staged joke.

Clay

[coyote]

This photo was included in the Wile/Dethlefson Edison Diamond Disc book, captioned simply: "Edward Meeker gets a decided reaction from the gang at the studio." Credit for the photo is given to the ENHS.