The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Actually, it was in the parking lot pretty early...a 14 inch Pathé storage album was sitting on top of a machine. I wandered over to open it up since it looked empty to find an incredibly scarce disc. I bought it for what I think was a very reasonable price and the dealer threw in the album. It's in really great shape, far better than most of the 10 ¾ inch issues I've seen. I have several hundred of those, but I've never had a 14 inch Fonotipia. At 75 RPM, which seems correct for this, it plays for almost 5 minutes.

Sean

Nice score! Post a YouTube video when you have a chance, I'm sure we'd all love to hear it.

What year was this issued, Sean? I hope you will post to youtube soon!

The 14 inch Fonotipias were all recorded in 1905, this one is piano accompanied, so it's a bit early on, but I haven't really had the time to check beyond the old "Dischi Fonotipia" discography from the 50s. Henstock's book should be far more accurate, but I've been busy with other things all week. I'll get to it, promise! It won't be played on a vintage machine, though, this one won't be played on anything acoustic. Sounds great played back on my "modern" system!

Sean

Sean, you are lucky to have that record! Nice find indeed.

From what I know, the record was recorded on May 1st, 1905. I believe you have a selection from Verdi's Aida with Garbin, Luppi and the "Coristi della Scala" on the back side. I had a chance to visit a collector who has most of the 14 inch (actually 13 and ½ inch) Fonotipias in his collection, I listened this record and it sounded very decent, despite the fact the piano sound was rather dull - or maybe it's because I played it on an acoustic machine.

BTW, I believe there were three or four 14-inch records recorded after 1905, maybe recorded around 1909-1910. One of them was an excerpt from Das Rhinegold with Elisa Feinhals recorded in Berlin - I also heard this record before and it had an orchestra accompaniment.

Nice find on the 14" record. I have a few of the 10 ¾ inch records if you are interested. Let me know.

Rich Gordon

Here are the rest of the pictures

Rich Gordon

Rich, your posts here and on the electric Brunswick thread perhaps are better suited to the Yankee Trader forum?