The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

She was issued on Harmony, too. Unknown to me until I saw one listed on E-Bay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/78-PRE-WAR-BLUE ... 43d51d1e0e

The Harmony is a later re-issue. 1940s or 50s?

Late '40s to mid 50's I believe. However, judging by the matrix number on the label it is likely pressed from the original master rather than being a dub. A dub will show an mx number from a series used at the time the dub was made.
@jboger: 81893 is the matrix (master) number; 14037D is the catalog number under which it was sold. The 14000D block was used for their "Race series".

Jim

Thanks for showing how to read the numbers on the record.

howardpgh and Phonojim, from what I understand, the reissues on post WWII Harmony records were produced briefly, 1949 to 1950.

I guess I have been lucky to have found about six original Bessie Smith's in the wild, all V+ to E, alas none in the last ten years.
Just today I came home with a keeper, Clarence Williams on a 1934 Vocalion, Sugar Blues / Ain't Gonna Give You None Of My Jelly Roll.
Its condition is G+ to V-, with an edge chip and an extra hole in the label, I'm very happy.

James.

Columbia issued a beautiful multi-LP album of "complete" recordings of Bessie Smith, "Empress of the Blues," back in the 80s, IIRC. Wish I had a copy! Probably it's been re-issued again on CD.