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Hi All,

I found these at an auction this past Saturday. There were 19 of them in an old cookie tin. 2 with "Victor Record" on top over the dog, 9 with "Victor Record" in the middle under the dog, 5 Climax, and 3 Columbia. 3 of the Climax and 1 of the Columbia have a little VTM in a circle stamped on them. I had to wait all day for them, but I think it was worth it. The winning bid was $2.50 + tax.

You did good! Really good! Jerry B.

My goodness!! That is a fantastic price for some very early 7 inch records. A single one of those could well be worth over $50. I think you got them for a steal! Considering you found an exceedingly rare Berliner Gramophone a few years ago and now these records, I'd say you have fantastic flea market luck!

-Steve

As seen in one stack is "When Mr. Shakespeare Comes To Town". It's a selection I've been looking for. This was recorded by Dan Quinn on Victor and (most likely) Arthur Collins on Columbia here. And, of course, any selection by Silas Leachman provides a fun listen. "Whoa Dar Mule" as seen in another stack is very good recording by him. I'm sure you realize what a fine deal this was.

Doug

Thanks guys, I know they don't show up often and I would have given much more for them. They are not in real good condition and three of them have a crack but they aren't bad considering their age I don't think. Do any of you know what the VTM stands for? I read somewhere online that it is for Victor Talking Machine, but is that correct? It is on the Climax and Columbia records.

Congrat's on a great buy!

Dale

mcgravy wrote:Do any of you know what the VTM stands for? I read somewhere online that it is for Victor Talking Machine, but is that correct? It is on the Climax and Columbia records.

It does indeed stand for Victor Talking Machine Company. If I recall correctly what happened was that at the time (1901) Columbia had no equipment to produce it's own disc records and they wanted to get into the disc record business so the hired the Globe Record Company to make records for them. Victor in a sly move of business bought out the Globe Record Company in late 1901 and then decided to put a "VTM" stamp on the Climax Columbia records to show that they were being pressed by Victor. Obviously Columbia disliked this underhanded move by their competitor so by February 1902 Columbia had bought the Globe Record Company back from Victor for $10,000. It is after this point that the VTM stamp ceases to be found on Columbia discs.

Here is a link to an article that covers this in more detail:
http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/r ... detail/100
-Steve

Back in 1985 I wrote an article on Columbia's entry into the disc market which appeared in a 1986 issue of The Antique Phonograph Monthly. One of the illustrations used was an early Climax/Columbia pressing of Mr. Shakespeare Comes To Town showing the "VTM" marking. Small world!

George P.

Wow! Very nice find!

Bill

Congrats on finding a nice cache of interesting records.