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Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 9:55 pm
by Lucas
I have these test records and I'm wondering what there purpose was. One is one sided with a hand etched label. The other has a story on side A called "uncle Toms cabin" and the other side is a tone. If you look at the grooves on the tone side they have a unusual pattern and the grooves are cut right to the edge of the record. And It is red when held up to a light.
Any information is appreciated!

Here is what it says on the etched label record

Grisioso Riconda
Banola Marranzina
# 3
58 M
E-32433-B

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 10:00 pm
by 52089
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is probably a "party" record, which is sort of a euphemism for adult material with lots of strong language and sexual content. Party records usually had blank labels, or just a title, and were pressed "underground". If you're into raunchy humor, some of them can be fun, but most of them are pretty dated these days.

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2020 11:06 pm
by Lucas
Thanks! What about the other side? The grooves have a unusual pattern and it it just a tone that is recorded right to the edge of the record.

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 9:14 am
by melvind
An interesting post. Thanks.

It would be nice if you could post the pictures directly into the forum instead of in links to an offsite location. Time has proven that these sites disappear or the pictures get removed. When you load them directly into a forum page they remain for a historical record. Just my friendly suggestion.

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 11:42 am
by Lucas
How do you post more than one picture?

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:11 pm
by gramophoneshane
Here's a couple px of the first record.
I think there's a tutorial here somewhere explaining the process of posting pictures direct to the forum. It's actually easier than posting to them to an outside host as you don't have to repost links to the pictures here.

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 12:17 pm
by melvind
When you are editing the page you can add each file one at a time. When you add the first one, you can then select subsequent files and add them.

One not so obvious thing is that the files will come out in reverse order by default (last one added will be first). To avoid this either load them in reverse order or use the Place inline button to put the attachment where the cursor is in the edited text.
Screen Shot 2020-01-26 at 9.10.58 AM.png
Screen Shot 2020-01-26 at 9.13.06 AM.png
Screen Shot 2020-01-26 at 9.15.02 AM.png

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:28 am
by Lucas
52089 wrote:"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is probably a "party" record, which is sort of a euphemism for adult material with lots of strong language and sexual content. Party records usually had blank labels, or just a title, and were pressed "underground". If you're into raunchy humor, some of them can be fun, but most of them are pretty dated these days.

What about side 2 that is just a tone?

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:56 am
by Lucas
Any information about the other record? It is one sided with a etched label on the recorded side with a paper label on the blank side. It has no lead in but does have a lead out (like a 1920s or 1930s record). It also has a very jagged edge and "John test pressing" written on the case.

Re: Unusual test pressing records

Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2020 3:41 pm
by estott
That "Very Good Orch" disc seems to be a Vocalion label flipped face down