The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Well, I talked to the people that I got the records from. The records were from the "attic". So it may have to go down as an unsolved mystery.

Tim

Could be a distant relative was a record industry guy. Maybe a mover and a shaker at Okeh records in the 1920's. "Attic finds" like that in the 21st century are very lucky.

I don't think test pressings would require writing on them. They might press the record then evaluate it immediately and make adjustments, in which case they would know exactly what the record is and wouldn't need to write because it was intended for temporary use only.

Some test pressings might be made for management, artist, marketing or other approval, in which case it makes sense that the details will be written on the disk because it will be passed onto external hands.

Adjustment ? This was before the days when they could evaluate a cutting and then go back and "fix something in the mix" or the mastering.