Adelina Patti Cylinder at EMI Archives....

[gramophone78]

George,I only remember because I was behind you and I couldn't get my money out as fast as you .I think you have had more practise at it!!!! Just kidding!!!!

[OrthoSean]

George,that is a very nice sleeve.If my memory serves well you were lucky and found it at a CAPS show.Does anyone know what record was suppose to be in the sleeve when first issued...Monarch,Victor or GP label or all???.

I'm pretty certain these sleeves were only available for the first couple of years at best, so Monarchs would be the correct ones, although probably some of the earliest Grand Prize pressings would have been sold with them as well, since Patti and Melbas were all 1905 issues and the Grand Prize label began then, I wouldn't be surprised. Again though, I highly doubt these were produced for very long and as far as I've read, there really isn't much documentation about these sleeves production-wise.

Sean

[Nat]

Here's a record which strikes me as somewhat over-priced. Maybe the sleeve is platinum?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALESSANDRO-MORESCHI ... 20b362b69e

[JHolmesesq]

For those interested, there's a rare unpublised Patti record going on eBay at the moment:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ADELINA-PATTI-UNP ... 255cfbac22

[phonogfp]

Here's a record which strikes me as somewhat over-priced. Maybe the sleeve is platinum?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALESSANDRO-MORESCHI ... 20b362b69e

If I recall from reading The Fabulous Phonograph, Moreschi was the last of great male sopranos, castrated as a youth to keep him that way. Certainly an interesting, but rather horrifying historical document! I'd like to have that record - - I'll look for another copy, despite what the seller thinks.

George P.

[transformingArt]

Here's a record which strikes me as somewhat over-priced. Maybe the sleeve is platinum?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALESSANDRO-MORESCHI ... 20b362b69e

If I recall from reading The Fabulous Phonograph, Moreschi was the last of great male sopranos, castrated as a youth to keep him that way. Certainly an interesting, but rather horrifying historical document! I'd like to have that record - - I'll look for another copy, despite what the seller thinks.

George P.

Look what became the thread I started.....thanks for all those who participated in!
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Anyway, This is the first time I ever saw a copy of this famous record from 1904 (Not from 1902, as this seller have stated). I actually have two other Moreschi discs, one is from Victor Red seal issue (posted it on my YouTube channel), and the other is early Canto Gregoriano issue. From what I know, this 'Canto Gregoriano' label was endorsed none other than Pope himself!

By the way, it is way, way overpriced. I paid each Moreschi disc for about 50 dollars each - I think the horrible condition of each discs would meant little bit of discount, but this is outrageous.

About the Patti unissued version - looks like a early 1950s stuff. Possibly a vinyl pressing?

[OrthoSean]

About the Patti unissued version - looks like a early 1950s stuff. Possibly a vinyl pressing?

Probably not vinyl. I've seen lots of HMV tests from that era and they've all been shellac. I'm not so sure it's an "unissued" take but rather just a test pressing, which is nice if you collect them, but since all the Pattis are out on Historic Masters anyway, I can't see the point in having this one.

And you're right about the Moreschi. Most of his records in excellent condition can be had for ~$100, the three I've got cost me far less, one was actually a gift from a friend and the other two I got for $30 each from another collector, so they're around, but everyone seems to want them. There are a couple of G&T issues of his that bring $200+ on Larry Holdridge's auctions every time they're listed, though.

Sean

[Wolfe]

There are a couple of G&T issues of his that bring $200+ on Larry Holdridge's auctions every time they're listed, though.

I just happen to have an old (1997) Holdridge auction list sitting nearby, and leafing through finds a Victor pressing of a Moreschi side, Oremus Pro Pontefice listed at a 50 dollar minimum bid.

[Nat]

"If I recall from reading The Fabulous Phonograph, Moreschi was the last of great male sopranos, castrated as a youth to keep him that way. Certainly an interesting, but rather horrifying historical document! I'd like to have that record - - I'll look for another copy, despite what the seller thinks."

You're right that he was the last of the castratos, and the only one to record. The word "great" is another question, however: one tends to think he was never in the line of the 18th century legends, and by the time he recorded, he was probably well past his prime. That said, the recordings are fascinating, and just may give us a window into how Carestini, etc. may have sounded.

[Wolfe]

The word "great" is another question, however: one tends to think he was never in the line of the 18th century legends, and by the time he recorded, he was probably well past his prime.

In The Great Singers J.B. Steane offers some pretty harsh words about hearing Moreschi sing the Ideale by F. Paolo Tosti.

"The voice is direly affected, the style gusty, and the total effect sadly comical."