The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I thought perhaps a little curiosity recently encountered might be of passing interest to British forum members. I recently bought a "pig in a poke" lot of 78s from a Goodwill thrift store in the town of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, via on-line auction. They were sold by weight, 26 pounds. I was the only bidder and the price was low. They arrived today and included some 12" HMV titles in excellent condition, most in sleeves rubber stamped "Louis Marcus, Smithfield, Belfast." The letter in the photo below was attached to one. What a curious journey these records must have had.

Clay

HMV were unable to meet the request because of the 1907 Trading Agreement between G&T and Victor, under which the companies divided the world into two trading areas.

Thank you for presenting this interesting letter.

From 1901 up to and including 1907 there were three successive agreements to divide the world market between G&T and Victor, respectively Eldridge Johnson: August 1901, August 1904 and August 1907.

Does anyone know what the "unsolicited gift free of tax scheme" was?

Clay

I'm guessing it means pretty much what it says: recipients of gifts are exempt from taxation on the value of said gifts, provided that recipients did not solicit the giver for them. Brits use "scheme" in this sense to mean a lawful arrangement; over here "scheme" almost always has negative connotations of illegal conniving.

Henry wrote:I'm guessing it means pretty much what it says: recipients of gifts are exempt from taxation on the value of said gifts, provided that recipients did not solicit the giver for them. Brits use "scheme" in this sense to mean a lawful arrangement; over here "scheme" has almost always has negative connotations of illegal conniving.

Correct. The tax referred to here is import duties. This is still in effect in the USA. Senders should mark the box "Unsolicited gift, value under $50" so that the recipient does not pay duties.