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I recently "rescued" a bunch of my old 12" 78s from my parents' house. Among them was a recording of Tchaikovsky's Pathetique symphony (no. 6) by Sir Henry Wood and the New Queen's Hall Orch. on gold flag Columbia. I have all 4 discs (67009-67012) in their original album. The discs are in OK shape, the album has seen better days. This is Masterworks set number 5. I bought this quite a long time ago and I don't think I've ever played it.

Sadly I know nothing about dating Columbia discs. Could some kind soul tell me when this was recorded and or released? I assume this was recorded in the UK (for UK Columbia?) and licensed to Columbia US? Any other interesting info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Gold flag Columbia would be acoustic, ca. 1923-24. It was the first incarnation of their "New Process" (i.e. laminated) record.

The matrix numbers would be a help. My guess is (on these records) they will have the prefix AX followed by three or four digits as these are UK recordings (the A part) and 12" (the X).

The flag labels were introduced in 1924, which says nothing for the actual recording date. You'd need the matrix info for that.

They're not the first laminated Columbias. I know that at least some earlier blue - gold band discs were laminated.

Viva-Tonal wrote:The matrix numbers would be a help. My guess is (on these records) they will have the prefix AX followed by three or four digits as these are UK recordings (the A part) and 12" (the X).

The first record I pulled out of the set has matrix numbers 76929 and 76930 at 6 o'clock. 76929 is also marked 1-A-4 at 12 o'clock. 76930 is also marked 2-3 at 12 o'clock, D1 at 3 o'clock, and 9 at 9 o'clock. This disk has the end of the first movement and the start of the second.

The Flag label Columbias were not the first laminated Columbias, but they DID mark the start of a better, quieter surface.

I've never seen a laminated blue/gold pressing, but I've only been collecting for about 15 years...

Anyway, according to Steven Barr's 78rpm dating guide (p. 118), your UK Columbia matrices are ca. early 1923 (76855 was recorded in 1/23 -- "Ends at 769??, to AX-series following").

I love Henry Wood. If you ever would like to part with these, let me know.

To be a little more precise; according to the Frank Andrews and Michael Smith listing of Columbia Records, Matrix Numbers 76927, 76928,76929 and 76930 were recorded on 17th March 1923 and Matrix Numbers 76931, 76932, 76933 and 76934 were recorded on 18th March 1923. The set was issued in the UK in October 1923 and deleted in August 1930.

Hope this helps

Tim W-W

Well, I think Tim's answer may be considered definitive!