The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Are there many christmas songs on Edison Diamond discs? Any for sale?

I used to have a damaged White Label of the hymn"Ring Out the Bells for Christmas" - here it is on an Amberol: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_taGUIeekg[/youtube]

Popular Christmas songs are largely a phenomenon of the WWII era and later - earlier songs for the most part fall into the categories of Religious or Children/Family. I've seen more vintage Christmas piano rolls than recordings.

crumpybumpy wrote:Are there many christmas songs on Edison Diamond discs? Any for sale?

Yes, many titles are available, but most go for a bit of a premium because of demand, not scarcity or quality of performance.

There's also a novelty called "Santa Claus Hides in Your Phonograph" that's worth looking for. Some love it, most find it creepy, but if you don't like it, it's easily resold.

I have a couple……….. but you'll have to wait until Christmas to hear them.

(Spoiler): One of them contains an interesting plug….

Bill

I have a bunch of them. Two of those dreadful Humphrey recordings. They are easily found on white label in good condition, but this is not the time of year to buy them. The closer to December the higher the price.

I currently have 12 different Diamond Disc Christmas recordings, the latest being an electric recording of Vaughn De Leath's "Christmas in Other Lands." Most are traditional Christmas hymns.

None for sale, though.

Clay

I think I have one or two; both are black "label". One is chimes solo, the other is quartette ?


Will look in the bottom of my C-250 when I get home tonight...

Okay, I rummaged through the storage slots in the bottom of my C-250, and found three Christmas DDs... all are etched-label

#50591:

-L: "Christmas Bells" - Robert Gayler chimes & Celeste, medley of four tunes, one of which serves as intro and out-tro... the only tune I recognize though is #3, "Joy to the World".

-R: "Celestial Chimes - Robert Gayler chimes & Celeste, another medley: "Old 100th" (the Doxology), Adeste Fideles, (unknown), Old 100th (reprise).


#80643:

-L: "Silent Night" - Elizabeth Spencer, John Young, Vernon Archibald. I do not recognize the English verses that they are singing.

-R: "Nazareth" (Charles Gounod) - Thomas Chalmers, baritone and Chorus with Orchestra


#80183:

-L: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" - Mixed Voices with Organ & Orchestral Accompaniment - The Metropolitan Quartet

-R: "O Come, All Ye Faithful" - Mixed Voices with Organ & Orchestral Accompaniment - The Metropolitan Quartet


That's all I have so far...

Oh Holy Night - Thomas Chalmers
Oh Holy Night - Marie Rappold
Ave Maria - Marie Rappold & Albert Spalding

There are a few more too.

OK, you guys put me to shame for only giving a total, so here they are:

Etched labels:
1. O Holy Night, unidentified baritone and chorus
The Palms, unidentified baritone and chorus

2. The Birthday of a King, unidentified baritone and chorus
Ring Out the Bells for Christmas, unidentified mixed quartet

3. Silent Night, unidentified soprano, tenor, and baritone
Bird on the Wing, unidentified mixed quartet

4. O Little Town of Bethlehem, 50302-R, The Carol Singers
Once In Royal David's City, 50302-L, The Carol Singers

5. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, 50303-R, The Carol Singers
Angeles From The Realms of Glory, 50303-L, The Carol Singers

Paper labels:
1. O Little Town of Bethlehem, 50302-R, The Carol Singers
Once In Royal David's City, 50302-L, The Carol Singers

2. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, 50303-R, The Carol Singers
Angeles From The Realms of Glory, 50303-L, The Carol Singers

3. We Three Kings of Orient Are, 50447-R, The Carol Singers
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, 50447-L, The Carol Singers

4. O Come, All Ye Faithful, 80183-R, Metropolitan Quartet
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, 80183-L, Metropolitan Quartet

5. The Birthday of a King, 80184-R, Thomas Chalmers
Ring Out the Bells for Christmas, 80184-L, Metropolitan Quartet

6. Silent Night, 82171-R, Frieda Hempel
Oh Holy Night, 82171-L, Frieda Hempel

7. Christmas In Other Lands, Part 1, 5212-R, Vaughn De Leath
Christmas In Other Lands, Part 2, 5212-L, Vaughn De Leath
This is a recitation mixed with songs.

It’s interesting that some of the same recordings were released first with etched labels and then later on paper labels.

Somewhere I have a copy of “Santa Claus Hides in Your Phonograph,” a recitation guaranteed to give small children nightmares for months, but I can’t lay my hands on it at the moment.

Clay