The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I acquired a bunch of early Victor 7 inch records recently all Eldridge Johnson Pre Victor.

One of these records has the Olive Gray color label that I have seen being referred to by members in another thread.

I had always been under the impression that these Olive Gray records were the very first paper labels to be placed on records prior to the black and gold.. I am surprised to find a Victor label in this color as my understanding was that only the early Gram-O-Phone labels used this color,,, prior to the Improved Record and the Victor Record..


The Discography of Historical Recordings dates the record to 6/30/1900..

The record number is A-17,, Title is The Mick That Threw the Brick..

Any members have any knowledge on this?? I'm new at this early record stuff so figured I'm missing something

See picture provided...

blizz

What is the take number? Apparently two different takes were issued, 3 and 4, it should be visible as a hand scrawled number in the dead wax, usually at around the 9 o'clock position.

I can't say I remember seeing this label style in olive green anywhere and I have quite a lot of pre-dog Victors, could it be just an odd fade? I'll leave that to others.

Sean

Hi Sean

the take number is (4)…

the thing that is also different on this record besides the olive green color is all of the other EJ Victor records I have, the record number is inscribed or etched at the 12 o-clock position in the run out area as well as being printed on the label itself..

This record does not

the plot thickens LOL

thanks
Blizz

This is not directly pertinent but I wonder if this recording has anything to do with the violent clashes between Protestants and Catholics in Philadelphia in the mid to late 1800's?

seems that could be a logical assumption... I'm not really up on my history but heard thing were very volatile in Phil. during the 2nd half of the 1800's

blizz

fmb, I'm with you- I've never seen or heard of this variant either. Just an idea- lots of times, record labels made special green labels or even green colored shellac for certain special Irish releases. I've seen OKehs and Paramounts like this, and Paramount did some of the green shellac discs. Wonder if this is a very early special pressing of this sort, maybe even a limited release for an Irish society of some sort. Either way, it's a really cool find.

Interesting, I actually did think about the green being for an ethnic release of sorts, but other than the plaid label Victors I can't think of anything else so early. I'll try to check the Sherman and Nauck Victor book later, it could well be mentioned in there. Regardless, it's cool and my kind of early disc!

Sean

Looks like a faded label. If they wanted it green they could have made it green, not just sorta green. No green on this copy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... _0cJ3vS35k

Wolfe wrote:Looks like a faded label. If they wanted it green they could have made it green, not just sorta green. No green on this copy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... _0cJ3vS35k

How could the label fade to green when it isn't at all green under the surface, and additionally, how could it fade without affecting the gold print?

The gold print looks to have some fading too.

Though I'll admit I've never seen a Victor label of any vintage that's faded to a green-ish shade.

Just seem to me more likely that a deliberate green label would look more distinctive.