The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here is a brown wax cylinder that I think may have been made by Russel Hunting for Columbia in 1894. I am not positive about this date so any supporting information or a correction would be much appreciated. I was only able to find one instance of this title being recorded by Hunting and it was for Columbia in 1894. Does anyone know if Hunting performed this title for any other companies?

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxSR5GIrxwA[/youtubehd]

Sounds like him he was good at changing his voice for different characters. There is some cylinders in Edison's home that have dirty jokes on them and the voice is similar.

Yes, just as Shawn pointed out correctly it's definitely Hunting.

While I cannot fully question the recording date, I do not see any evidence that this is a Columbia recording at all.

As an 1894 Columbia cylinder, the announcement would have to say "for the Columbia Phonograph Company of Washington, DC."

But there is not company announcement at all. Just as Edison, Columbia did also have a short time period where they had no company name mentioned at all. But that would be around 1896/97 then.

US or New England Phonograph Company could a possible brand too, while I am not aware if Hunting did record for them too.

The transfer is pretty muffled and distorted by some heavy spring motor governor flutter. A clean electric playback could possibly reveal some interesting details.

Do you have this cylinder and could post some close-ups of the inner, outer and edges shape - and what is the determined playback speed?