"Let Us Not Forget" Cylinder Question

[Shane]

I had a couple very distant family members pass away a few months back (nobody I really knew), but now my aunt is sending a few items from the estate my way that I'm going to help her sell. After sending me an Edison Standard model B and a box of blue amberols, she now discovered a horn crane plus a second box of cylinders in the estate. I just got ahold of this second batch tonight. I was shocked to pull a copy of "Let Us Not Forget" BA out of the box!

Now, I may be wrong about this, but I vaguely remember some discussion on one of the board that there were two different versions of this cylinder. The one I have starts with an introduction, and ends with the words "Star Spangled Banner". Strangely, this is followed by 1-2 minutes of blank grooves. Does anyone have any info on the different versions? Thanks!

[ColoradoPhonograf]

Shane,

I'm just going off memory right now but the original release #3756 was at the end of WW1 with Edison speaking about the veterans of the various countries doing their part to win the war, but being the short version. The longer version rereleased in 1926 I believe was the same speech with the added "Star Spangled Banner" music being played at the end. I may be wrong and have them flip-flopped but I think that is how the two versions were released.

Nice find there, a good cylinder to have.

Colorado Phonograf

[Brad]

The BA copy I have ends with the Star Spangled Banner. I cannot date it (no jokes please ), only confirm that such a release was made.

[Jerry B.]

Are both versions found in similar numbers? What's the ballpark for value? Thanks, Jerry Blais

[Shane]

Wait... so you mean there is a version with music at the end? Mine ends with Edison saying the words "Star Spangled Banner", followed by 1-2 minutes of blank grooves. It is number 3756.

In terms of value, I saw this cylinder in nice shape sell on ebay recently for $200.

[ColoradoPhonograf]

Yes, there are TWO versions. The longer version is also number 3756 and the grooves run the full length of the cylinder.

ColoradoPhonograf

[FellowCollector]

The later version of this cylinder with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner immediately following Edison's speech (some of which is "borrowed" from Kipling as I recall) is MUCH more difficult to find than the early version without the Star Spangled Banner. It is generally valued substantially higher than the earlier version as well. I can remember back in the early 1990's the late Aaron Cramer listing this later version in his occasional record auctions at an opening bid of 6 bills! We must keep in mind that when this version was released in the "later" twenties, cylinders were pretty well out of fashion and to purchase one that had already been released years earlier with only minor differences (ie. the anthem at the end) added to the mediocrity...and so...relatively few were sold.