Edison commerical brown wax cylinders - numbered ?

[De Soto Frank]

Recently I purchased a batch of about 40 two-minute Edison cylinders from a local antique / 2nd-hand shop.

Most are "blunt-end" black wax. (Pre- Gold Mould )


I found one Edison brown-wax, but it is highly moldy. I have not yet tried to do anything with it. The upper half (as it sits in its original National Phonograph Co. cardboard tube) looks decent and playable. The lower, tapered end is all-white with mold. And I just discovered a longitudinal crack.

Did Edison mark or number the brown-wax in any way, as with the black "blunties", or do we have to rely solely on the spoken announcement?

There is a deteriorated home-made label on the lid, with a title pencilled on it... part of it is now illegible, but from what I can read, it appears to say:

"_____ornia Minstrel"

So far, every cylinder in this batch has been in its proper box, w/ matching lid...


Any ideas as to selection, and what to do with this poor artifact ?

(Will post some photos later today)

[phonogfp]

Frank,

I'm afraid that the spoken announcement - - or recognition of the tune in the playable area - - is the only way to determine the title. There are no numbers or other identification molded/inscribed into Edison brown wax. (Columbia's first moulded records utilized brown wax with numbers & titles moulded into the runoff area. Columbia's earlier non-moulded cylinders are, like those of Edison manufacture, unmarked.)

As for the mold, you might try CAREFULLY wiping the affected area with a clean soft cloth. I have found that moldy brown wax can sometimes (but not always) be successfully cleaned by simply wiping (in the same direction as the groove) several times with an old terry towel, washcloth, or something similar, frequently turning to a clean area of the towel. Finish up with an old T-shirt. The crack will make this tricky, but you have little to lose.

I once bought a 5-inch brown wax cylinder that was caked with white mold (I wanted the unusual box). Once home, I almost junked the record to prevent any contamination of the others, but ten minutes' worth of careful wiping/gentle rubbing with a soft towel resulted in a decent-playing recording of The Charlatan March!

Good luck!

George P.

[edisonphonoworks]

Again non moulded brown wax do not have any numbers or identifying marks on the blanks for Edison or Columbia. I can recognize a Columbia or Edison record by the spiral core, if it has 1 continuous spiral with tight turns it is a Columbia while Edison used a double spiral that started on either end. Concert records are opposite, Edison's have 1 spiral and Columbia 2. When I record for a customer I engrave the title and artist either at the large rim of the record, or after the playing grooves, and a number and date and my signature.

[phonogfp]

The inconvenience of unmarked cylinders records was recognized early on, and some owners took steps to remedy the situation.

About 20 years ago I bought a group of Edison brown wax and early moulded cylinders, each of which had been carefully inscribed by their former owner. To view close up, just click on the photo below, and you can further enlarge it beyond that if you like.

George P.

[De Soto Frank]

Thanks for the replies !

When I have some quiet-time and a few cups of decaf-tea, I will try cleaning and ID'ing the mystery "brownie"...


The other limitation is not having an "Automatic" or "B" reproducer yet...

[phonogfp]

A Columbia floating reproducer will do the trick!

George P.

[De Soto Frank]

Hmmmm... the solitary local antique dealer does have a Columbia Q that's been in his shop for several years now...