Early Electrics on the Columbia Flag Label

[Rastus10]

Just to state my own opinion, and solicit those of others:

Do you find that the earliest electrically recorded Columbia discs sound better on the slightly later black label Columbias, and that the original flag label discs have a slightly rougher surface quality, or is it just me? Perhaps a copy that more closely approaches Mint plays better. if such a creature can be found?

I find the flag label Columbias aesthetically pleasing, but they don't seem to "hide" record wear as well as the black labels for the new electrics.

[Wolfe]

Can't say that I've noticed a conspicuous difference.

[beaumonde]

Not to sound skeptical (well, maybe!), but I've never seen an electric recording on the flag label. Can you post a label photo and of the matrix in the run-out groove? There should be a "W" before the matrix in an electric recording.

[Rastus10]

I'm sorry for the tardiness of my reply. Here is a label scan of one side of Columbia 329-D, the third ten-inch electrically recorded disc, and recorded on March 7, 1925(I believe--I need that darn matrix book!). It was the first "dance band" session that was electrically recorded for Columbia, beating Victor by nineteen days, since the latter moped around recording Red Seal artists until March 26th. I'm kidding about moping around.

The W is visible at the seven o'clock position. I'm sorry that my scanner doesn't bring out the color very well.

[phonojim]

I have Columbia 351-D, which has a "Flag" label. It is 2 sides by Vernon Dalhart; "The Runaway Train", mx 140497 and "Dear Oh Dear", mx 140497. Both sides have the circle W at the 7 O'clock position.

I also found 346-D in my collection. This one by the California Ramblers was recorded on March 30, 1925, is acoustic and has the first style black label!

From the Sherman/Nauck book "Note The Notes", page 25: "...by June 1925 (shortly after the advent of electrical recording) the Flag label was replaced with (the Vivatonal label)". The Flag label had been introduced in January of 1924 according to the same source. The first style Viva Tonal labe did not have either Vivatonal or Electrical Process printed on them. These were added to the label in January, 1927.

It would be interesting to know the highest numbered Flag labled electric produced.

Jim

[zenith82]

I've noticed that many of the black label electric recordings I find have been played considerably more than a lot of the flag or any other label I run across. Could be that the pressings weren't quite up to par with the others, or that the music was just that good that they were played to death.

On higher grade examples, I haven't really noticed a difference.

[Rastus10]

It would be interesting to know the highest numbered Flag labled electric produced.

Good question! The highest-numbered flag label disc that I have is 377-D, recorded on 4/17/25, (acoustic) by Chester Gaylord.

I'm pretty sure that I've seen 376-D, Lanin's Redheads, on a flag label. The next electric would be 379-D, Ethel Waters. I've never seen any of the 380's in anything other than a black label--yet.

[Wolfe]

Black labels weren't introduced until June, 1925. So, anything prior including quite a few early electrics are floating around with Flag labels.

[gramophone-georg]

It would be interesting to know the highest numbered Flag labled electric produced.

Good question! The highest-numbered flag label disc that I have is 377-D, recorded on 4/17/25, (acoustic) by Chester Gaylord.

I'm pretty sure that I've seen 376-D, Lanin's Redheads, on a flag label. The next electric would be 379-D, Ethel Waters. I've never seen any of the 380's in anything other than a black label--yet.

I have 376-D on the Flag label, and Paul Solarski recently had a copy up on eBay as well. I have several dance band electric Flags- they're sort of an "I have to have it" obsession of mine. One anomaly I have is 362-D (Polla's Clover Garden Orch) which has the W on one side but not the other- yet both sides sound electric.

I've also seen several 200-D series discs on the early black label, so there may have been some overlap there.

[Rastus10]

they're sort of an "I have to have it" obsession of mine.

Glad to know that I'm not alone in this. I recently purchased a copy of 362-D, flag label, and both sides have the W stamp. Odd. The sound quality on those two selections is unbelievable. If you ever run across any that you already have, let me know. I have a few on my "want" list that I posted in another section this past weekend.

I'm supposed to get a copy of 382-D--yes, the Xylo-Rimba Orchestra, I know...I know. I'm guessing it will be a black label, but perhaps not.