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I have never heard any cylinder record called a "class M cylinder". As I see it, you have very early brown wax cylinder records recorded at the (by then) standard groove pitch that gives a 2 to 2.5 minute playback, depending on the speed of the player and the speed the cylinder was recorded at. Early cylinders do vary in playback rotational speed. "Technically" they will play back on any 2-minute cylinder player, but due to the soft composition of the early brown wax, a reproducer designed for very early cylinders should be used, not one designed for the later moulded records.

So thanks to everybody that replied and commented.

The 4 "Channel Rim" cylinders and 1 "chipped" brown wax cylinder are going to John Levin who has graciously offer to clean and preserve the original recordings.
The cylinder with the messed up grooves, I plan on getting a fellow CAPS member to try and digitally enhance the recording using his "Vinyl Studio" software. The final cylinder with the scribed "601" I will see if I can get the Cylinder Doctor to put it back together again.

The early cylinder case , we now know came from England will be put up for sale.

Thanks again for the friends that commented and to the administrators that keep this Forum available for us to use.

Sincerely,
Blain

Excellent! Everybody wins - -

Congratulations again, Blain!

George P.

old thread, but any chance you could post the audio of these cylinders?
Thanks,
Gunnar

Hi,

The reason that some Columbia brown wax cylinders of the same period, say early to mid-1890s look "similar" to Edison's "North American" parallels is simple: believe it or not, the Edison company was actually selling (in the 1000's) recording blanks to Columbia (with the channeled rims). Those were the days!

As has been noted before (and elsewhere), these spacious rims were intended to hold circular paper slips, identifying the selection in black print on white paper. Over time, what with use and temperature changes, most of these impressed "inserts" have fallen to the wayside.

The #601 you see on one of yours could have been inscribed by an end-user, rather than the company. The number, if indeed it matches the aural contents, was certainly a valid period inscription, since this series of early brown wax cylinders was dated and listed in both editions of "Edison Cylinder Records, 1889-1912." There are still a few copies of this book available, drop me a note if interested at: [email protected]. The book also contains all US market Edison cylinders, custom & pantographed brown wax and moulded black, 2" and 5", and as a bonus, the 4-min. wax Edison Amberols from 1908-1912 (w/operatics). About 10,000 items altogether...

If my theory is correct, your cylinder (601) was recorded by Joseph Natus, title on request.

Congrats.

Allen

Thank you Allen for the reply.
I have the same book and will take a look for #601. The original 4 "channel rim" cylinders are with John Levin. But since then I have acquired more in much better condition. #276 "The Grey Haired Old Women" still has the paper title in the rim. The others have lost the paper title.

One has a paper ring on the outer diameter where later records have the titles. The paper ring is #125 Bugle Calls Coronet Solo by James Levy.

Oddly enough, there was another cylinder that does not have the channel rim, but is about ½ in. shorter, everything else being normal.

I don't know where to begin. Do I play them, record them, Where to start?

Regards,
Blain

Congrats on finding such early cylinders.

Are you sure that the title of "Grey Haired Old Women" is in the plural?

And that your cornet solo is by JAMES Levy, and not Jules Levy (which would be more correct)?

That series of "numbered" (& announced) and channeled cylinders began in April of 1892 and ran thru Aug of 1894 (up to #1468). Printed catalogs listing them are very rare indeed... but ECR has the most complete compilation.

Best
Allen