Celluloid Lamentations

[edisonclassm]

I'm getting bummed out anymore because every time I buy an Indestructible or US everlasting record, they suffer from shrinkage. Both in length and recording depth. Not only do they suffer from skip over but the recordings are becoming blurry. It's rarer to find this in Edison BAs but it is happening to them as well. I have a copy of BA 5714 that is a little blurry. I've been collecting for 53 years and when I started, this problem was almost unheard of. Who would have known that "Indestructible" or "Everlasting" records were anything but! Remember they said the Titanic was unsinkable!

[JerryVan]

You know, sometimes over 53 years of collecting, one's hearing may get a little blurry too... just sayin'. In a similar way, my clothes seem to be shrinking like never before, gravity has increased its pull on me and the sun seems to shine brighter on my scalp than ever before. There are other changes too...

[Curt A]

You know, sometimes over 53 years of collecting, one's hearing may get a little blurry too... just sayin'. In a similar way, my clothes seem to be shrinking like never before, gravity has increased its pull on me and the sun seems to shine brighter on my scalp than ever before. There are other changes too...

So true...

[VintageTechnologies]

I have seen a lot of US Everlastings split from end to end. I have seen fewer Edisons do that. I have never see an Indestructible do that.

[edisonclassm]

Jerry, my hearing is still good enough to ascertain when a record has deteriorated. I applaud the guys who are producing new cylinders as it will help in the long run.

[flashpanblue]

Hello,
I have noticed the same problem with some of the U.S. Everlasting cylinders I have. They will not fit all the way on the mandrel. In addition my Blue Amberol reamer will not work on the Everlasting cylinders as the inside material won't sand out!!
Pete

[howardpgh]

Of all the materials involved with antique phonograph media, shellac seems to be the most stable.

[NEFaurora]

"I'm getting bummed out anymore because every time I buy an Indestructible or US everlasting record, they suffer from shrinkage."

Shrinkage has always been a problem...

It's the nature of the beast I'm afraid...and not just the SEINFELD episode..lol..!!!

I have noticed though, Some machines play the Indestructibles better than others.... For instance, A Diamond tipped stylus will play a bit better on an Indestructible and probably skip less than a Sapphire Doorknob Stylus.

Try using your Indestructibles on a few different machines... You might be surprised at the outcome.

I've found that if you have a Stylus with even marginal wear, It sometimes has problems playing certain Indestructibles.

Those have been my findings.

Celluloid Indestructibles usually have "shrinkage" at the very beginning and at the very end of the cylinder since that is where it is under the most pressure and that is where it will shrink the most. As some Celluloid Indestructible cylinders age, The original Camphor chemical agent used to create them dissipates with age causing "Shrinkage".

)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer

[NEFaurora]

Also, Don't get these two confused as they often are..

"Everlasting Cylinders" were made by the Albany Indestructible Cylinder Company in Albany, New York (1906,1907-1922 until "The big fire cookout" when the factory burnt down), and also went by the names "Oxford" -Sold by Sears Roebuck Co., the name "Indestructibles", The name "Columbia" 2M and 4M Celluloid (1908-1912), and of course "Everlasting", and then finally "Federal". They were all made by the Albany Indestructible Cylinder Company and went under the different names mentioned above. Interestingly, The very earliest Albany Indestructible Cylinders (Very Late 1906-Eary 1907)were made from recycled Black Lambert Moulds after Lambert sold the Patents to Albany Indestructible. These look very similar to Black Lamberts and are denoted by the Raised lettering on the top rim of the cylinder.

See the story here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indestruc ... rd_Company

http://blog.timesunion.com/chuckmiller/ ... ecord/626/



"U.S. Everlasting cylinders" are made by the U.S. Phonograph Company, Cleveland, Ohio (1906-October 1913). They also went under the licensed name "Lakeside" which was sold by Montgomery Ward Co. under contract.

See the story here:

http://intertique.com/U-S%20Everlasting%20story.htm


)

Tony K.

Edison Collector/Restorer