The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Berliner, Improved, Consolidated, Victor, Columbia, Climax, Zon-O-Phone. I'm not really interested in $1000 E+ rarities (although Arthur Pryor's "Bluebells of Scotland would be nice!), rather, what I'm interested in is garden- variety band music or instrumental solos in V/ V+ condition worthy of being sacrificed to the steel needle gods while being played on my machines. Will buy or trade records of other genres, incl. cylinder records from my extensive 40 year collection. Email me at [email protected]. Many thanks!

gramophone-georg wrote:although Arthur Pryor's "Bluebells of Scotland would be nice!

Is it a particularly scarce title then?

neilmack wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:although Arthur Pryor's "Bluebells of Scotland would be nice!

Is it a particularly scarce title then?

The tune itself was very poplar in the day...and for many years. Funny, my one and only (HMV in the groove) copy is "Blue Bells Of Scotland" by AP. However, I have it on a regular Victor 7" also by AP. I'm not aware of any AP recording considered "scarce" being so prolific.
Since George has added his unaltered copy.....I added a clearer image of the HMV.

Hi Gramophone;

I'm curious to know if you noticed that your Berliner record "Blue Bells of Scotland" has the embossed Nipper & Gramophone trademark in the grooves. This is a very rare and something I wouldn't want to subject to a steel needle. You can see it in the left of your photo.

phonohound wrote:Hi Gramophone;

I'm curious to know if you noticed that your Berliner record "Blue Bells of Scotland" has the embossed Nipper & Gramophone trademark in the grooves. This is a very rare and something I wouldn't want to subject to a steel needle. You can see it in the left of your photo.

Yes, there are four HMV's on my record.

Here's the original U.S. Berliner pressing. I recognized the typeface and date immediately, as this was one of five Berliner records (my first ones) I bought with a Trademark model when I was nineteen.

George P.

Wow. That is just beautiful!

BTW, I considered it "scarce" because I've been hunting a copy for about 20 years with no luck.

gramophone-georg wrote:Wow. That is just beautiful!

BTW, I considered it "scarce" because I've been hunting a copy for about 20 years with no luck.

Well, now that you wrote this......one will probably find it's way to you..... .

I should have mentioned (regarding the HMV's), to date and as far as I know.........no one is really certain how Berliner was able to place these highly detailed "HMV's in the sound waves. When you look at them, they seem to have a dimension to them. Almost like a hologram if you will.

We do know (from period ads) they were added in order to stop "pirating". However, the cost must have been the cause for a short run....????.
The "Concern" mentioned in the period ad may have been a certain "Gramophone Cigar Co." that was also in Montreal at the time.
Clearly my record has been played many times over the years and yet, still retains very crisp images.....
Just baffling to me.