The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just bought a collection of 78s. Lot of nice old ones in there. Probably the nicest lot I've bought so far. There was one Edison diamond disc and I know I can't play that one on my Victrola VV-XI.
I also got one Pathé copyrighted 1920. Are all Pathé only playable with a specific stylus or are some ok for my Victrola? This one says needle cut on the label. See pic.

The other one I got is a Clarion. Is this a vertical cut record or can I safely play this one? See pic.
Sorry for the thumbnails. It said my pics were too big. Just click to enlarge.
Are there any other labels I need to watch out for that I might ruin playing on my Victrola?

Hi Richard,

The Pathé disc is the type that will be all right for the Victrola. I am not sure about the other on.

I hope this helps a little.
Don

Hello, Richard,

Any discs from the USA labeled Actuelle, Pathé Actuelle, or Perfect are laterally cut records that you can successfully play on a Victrola. However, discs from the USA labeled merely Pathé are vertically cut, and should not be played on a Victrola. I will leave the issue of Pathé products made outside the USA to those better versed in the subject!

Your Clarion is also laterally cut, and therefore you can play it on your Victrola. IIRC, your Clarion label was originally a product of Hawthorne & Sheble, who were sued into bankruptcy for patent infringement in the second decade of the last century. I think Columbia may have briefly issued some afterwards, as a subsidiary label, and of course revived the brand as a discount label during 1930-1932.