The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just picked up a copy of Edison 50466, Stars and Stripes Forever March played by the Imperial Marimba Band. My copy matches the "very rare preliminary design" shown on p.15 of the Collector's Guide to Edison Records. It has a small font catalog number right above the hole. I am wondering if perhaps this is actually the way this particular title was made and that the rarity is therefore overstated.

If you have a copy of 50466, would you please check it and let me know what type of label you have on each side, and where the record number appears on the Stars and Stripes side.

Thanks in advance.

I've got at least a couple copies of that one somewhere. I never thought of it as particularly rare or early, (recorded in December 1916).

It's not the record that's (possibly) rare, it's the label type. The first regular issue bands labels have the record number below the hole in a larger font. The (supposed) prototype bands labels have the record number above the hole in a much smaller font. See photo below from p.15 of the Collector's Guide. In the "label evolution" section on p. 46 of this book, the bands prototype label is described as "very rare".

I have found a copy of this record with this label type. I am trying to determine whether this is truly a rare label or not. Since I found this "in the wild", and since it's exactly the same title shown in the book, it makes me wonder whether the rarity is overstated. If you have a copy that looks like this, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I know I have this on etched label from my newly acquired B-250, I'll check mine tonight and see if it is this type of label, I honestly never paid attention to it other than playing it once after a cleaning! This title was around long enough to be issued on paper label as well, I just saw a copy of it on my shelves downstairs last week.

Sean

Okay got you. I have and have seen some with that type label but cannot remember the details. Would have to find the records, not an easy exercise to be more precise.