The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I picked up a lot of records today, one of them is a recording of Bessie Smith on the black Viva-toanl record label. It also states it was recorded by an "Electrical Process." One side has "Hard Driving Papa" with Fletcher Henderson (piano) and Joe Smith (cornet), and the other side has "Money Blues" with the same accompaniment. I have two other Bessie Smith records but they are on the flag label. What do I have here, a later pressing?

# 14137 is from 1926, the Viva-Tonal era. Bessie Smith recorded for Columbia from around 1923 well into the 1930's.

Bunch of labels to be seen on her records. After her death some of them were reisssued with the red Columbia 'Microphone' labels, in the 40's.

Thanks for the info. I'm glad it's not a later pressing.