The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I found an interesting record that exemplifies the early interconnection between the Victor Talking Machine Company, the Globe Record Company (Climax Record), and the Columbia Phonograph Company.

Columbia record #188 titled "American Republic March" by Gilmore's Band is announced "...played by the Climax Band". The label also has a raised VTM stamp. I am unsure of the date, but am guessing 1901 or 1902.

I discovered that the first one-third of the record is unplayable at 78 rpm due to a large, high relief bubble that corresponds exactly to a depression on the back side. I wonder what caused that? To salvage the recording, I set my turntable to 33 ⅓ rpm and was able track the record without skipping on every rotation. I recorded with a microphone and used the Audacity sound editing software to speed the recording back up to 78 rpm, which sounds reasonable considering the announcer's voice. I used the Audacity equalizer to reduce rumble and excess hiss.

You also have a brass grommet around the spindle hole. I wonder if there's a Climax label under the Columbia label?

52089 wrote:You also have a brass grommet around the spindle hole. I wonder if there's a Climax label under the Columbia label?

No, I don't think so. I have some records with pasted labels. This label is so thin and bonded to the record that it is nearly flush to the surface. You can see "188" etched into the record through the label and the VTM stamp protrudes out. A second label pasted on top would be obviously thicker and probably mask those features to some extent.