The Edison Diamond Disc Advertising Record

[PeterF]

Recorded in late 1912, the purpose of this somewhat bombastic message was to convince folks to try Edison's new disc records:

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oNJel8wcls[/youtubehd]

[Phono-Phan]

WOW! Thanks for sharing. Is this your record? If so, can you post a picture of the label?
Ken Brekke

[OrthoSean]

Original copies of this didn't have a label. A few years back, Norman from the Berlin Phonograph Works made copies of this that did have a label and a nice felt-lined sleeve. I wish I had bought one at the time!

EDIT: (Because I hit post before I completed my thoughts), there were two takes of this issued, both by the familiar Harry E. Hunphrey, the guy you hear often on the descriptive "explanatory talks" on the flip sides of some DDs, and also the guy who did lots of dramatic recitations on Blue Amberol such as Finch's "The Blue and the Grey" and "Lincoln's Speech at Gettysburg".

This sounds like it's playing a few RPMs too slow.

Sean

[CarlosV]

That was entertaining, thanks for posting.

Quite interesting advertisement, grave and serious like the photo of Edison on his discs and amberol boxes. Imagine how effective such advertisement would be in today's standards ...

[PeterF]

Yes, this is the "B" take. Does anyone know which one Norman used?

I'll take photos of the disc and post them here in a while. Black and smooth and no label, only the matrix number scratched in - very meticulously.

Yeah it's probably slow. I was in the midst of goofing around with the "special" records, and had just used the Tuning Record and a pitch pipe to adjust the phonograph, for fun...but I hadn't checked the results with a strobe. (I did think Harry sounded extra manly)

[OrthoSean]

Take "B", gotcha.

I appreciate this being posted, I wasn't trying to nit-pick, I've always wanted to hear this.

That tuning record must be the most boring thing ever, but nonetheless I am still going to keep my copy for the time being.

I recently mentioned in a Facebook group that DDs don't always play back correctly at 80 RPM and (of course), I provided some examples and a video of one. An "expert" immediately shot me down, started name-calling and then blocked me (he built a wall!!). What ensued after was rather telling about him and his beliefs (I was filled in privately by several actual friends who witnessed the unraveling). Amusing, but I won't get into that any further here.

While most DDs to play at 80, I trust my ear and use a pitch pipe if I'm not certain. I've found a few DDs that play as slow as 74 (a Duke Yellman, the title escapes me) and many of the early transfer label issues seem to be either 78 or 80, but some 82 to be in a key. I find things like this fascinating because it continues to prove that some of the old published "hard and fast" rules just don't apply like some folks still choose to believe.

Sean

[phonogfp]

Yes, this is the "B" take. Does anyone know which one Norman used?

One side of Norman's copy (also the "B" take) does have a paper label and a faux groove to simulate the appearance of a post-1921 Edison Disc. The paper label contains information about the disc. The flip side is the actual Advertising Record, and contains no label, so is identical to the record issued in 1912. The felt-lined sleeve has a transcription of the record printed on it.

George P.

[fran604g]

I had no idea that they had been seeing the tone "colors". I thought that was a Jimi Hendrix thing. (j/k)

Thanks for sharing this rare and fascinating glimpse into the marketing of the Edison "Di-a-mond" Disc Phonograph. Such great enunciation!

Best,
Fran

[OrthoSean]

One side of Norman's copy (also the "B" take) does have a paper label and a faux groove to simulate the appearance of a post-1921 Edison Disc. The paper label contains information about the disc. The flip side is the actual Advertising Record, and contains no label, so is identical to the record issued in 1912. George P.

Thanks for the correction! I only got to see and hold a copy at Wayne when he had a few to sell. I'm still kicking myself for not buying one.

Hey Norman....if you're looking in, have any left? Last I'd heard they were sold out.

Sean

[PeterF]

I'm guessing Norman may still have a means to make more copies, if a sufficient number of people sign up. I'll send him a note and ask.