Radio transcription disk labels

[richardh]

I was giving my acetate radio transcription disks their 6 monthly clean * and thought that whilst I had them all out I would take some pictures of the many different types of labels.

These are all 16" disks and were used by radio stations for pre-recorded material for broadcast. The dates of the disks below range from the mid 1930's up to the early 1950's. These disks are vinal, acetate and one weird one from the 30's that seems to have the music cut into a layer of paint sprayed onto the aluminium base! There is also a picture of an unused Presto acetate disk from the 1930's.

* - acetate disks usually need cleaning approx every 6 months to remove a white sticky film that gets excreted from the acetate itself. If left this can cause damage to the disk surface

Anyway here are the labels, in no particular order:

[richardh]

Here are a few more. The first picture is of the old oak travelling case that I store them in. Its 18th Century and has the name of the owner painted on the top: "M Broome" and the ship they were on "HMS Madras"

RJ

[richardh]

Thanks Shane,

I don't know if any of these transcription labels are unusual or not....they are just what I have in my collection. If anyone has views on the rareity of any of these then I would be interested to hear them. I have long runs of the "Calling all cars" and "Stand by for music" series which I am quite pleased with. The "Calling all cars" are pressed on an early form of vinyl which when tapped sounds like it would shatter if dropped - needless to say Im not going to put that one to the test! These are 30 minute programmes of crime cases taken from the LAPD files. These were recorded from the live broadcast - mistakes and all!- by direct line (rather than the am broadcast) so the sound is supurb!

The Oak chest is from the 1700's. Interestingly above each of the three key holds on the front of it are the remains of sealing wax! I guess they did this to ensure that if the contents were tampered with during the voyage then it would be obvious! I find it ironic that all these american disks are stored in a cabinet that predates the existance of the USA itself!

RJ

[antiquekid3]

I just LOVE that Civil Defense record! I have 3 CD Geiger counters (well...one Geiger counter and two ion chamber detectors) as well as two dosimeters, two dosimeter chargers, and a water barrel. The Cold War era is one of my favorite subjects in school right now! I'm going to see if I can't bring home a few transcription records from the Alabama Historical Radio Society today.

[Discman]

Thanks for sharing, I enjoy seeing these.
Dave

[richardh]

The Cold War era is one of my favorite subjects in school right now! I'm going to see if I can't bring home a few transcription records from the Alabama Historical Radio Society today.

I hope you are successful I haven't listened to this disk in a while but as far as I remember in between a few ditties sung by the Chordettes there is a talk about what to do should a nuke fall! Cheery stuff...but I guess this was at the height of the cold war and they wanted people to be prepared. When I next get my transcription deck out i'll do a transfer of this disk for you and post the link.

RJ

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Thirty Minutes in Hollywood looks like fun! I wonder what the Gottschalk Process was? Probably a way to circumvent any royalties to Western Electric or RCA.

Jim

[Shane]

Richard,
I was shocked to see something written on one of the labels you have. The 9th one down (Frank Sinatra disc) has the call letters KMJ and a 1948 date written on it. I live in Fresno, California, and KMJ has been the longest lasting station on our AM dial- it is still in business today as a news/talk station. Interesting!

-Shane

[solophoneman]

Wow!! Now that is one impressive collection of different types of Radio Transcription Labels. I was unaware that anyone collected them for the variety of label types and that is just great. Thanks for the look into your collection. Other than the typical V-Disc type, I have only stumbled across a couple of unusual ones over the years, and I will dig them out when I have a chance and post them so you can have a look. Thanks again, and Love that old sea chest as well.

[antiquekid3]

The Cold War era is one of my favorite subjects in school right now! I'm going to see if I can't bring home a few transcription records from the Alabama Historical Radio Society today.

I hope you are successful I haven't listened to this disk in a while but as far as I remember in between a few ditties sung by the Chordettes there is a talk about what to do should a nuke fall! Cheery stuff...but I guess this was at the height of the cold war and they wanted people to be prepared. When I next get my transcription deck out i'll do a transfer of this disk for you and post the link.

RJ

No, I couldn't take any home...but we did have quite a few though! Stacks of them! I really never imagined how big transcription discs were until I saw one! We even have a transcription turntable...it must take up a yard in all directions! Maybe I'll bring my camera and snag some pictures next time!