The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I saw this record for sale on eBay. If this wasn’t a bid only listing (no snipers or bidding wars for me!) I would have bought it. But what is this about?

Here some information about it. I have a great copy of it.

Rich Gordon

According to Edison Sales Bulletin No. 199, dated 13th. October 1920: ‘A short time ago at the solicitation of The Old Time Telegrapher’s Association, Mr. Edison made a special disc RE-CREATION in the “Morse” code, a copy of which was presented to all members of this association.’ The bulletin goes on to say that this un-numbered disc (a corresponding Blue Amberol cylinder existed, too) would be made available to any others who might want to purchase one. It seemed unlikely that a copy of this exotic item would ever surface, but luckily I was informed -3 that the Edison sounder record had been issued on an LP. This LP, on the Mark 56 label, at first proved very elusive, but eventually a copy of the track was sent by Merle. Several years later, my excellent discographical friend Joe Moore -4 was paying one of his regular visits to the Edison National Site at Orange, and he brought back a transcription made directly from the copy in the archive there of master 7459-A. He even supplied a photostat of the file card, which you see above. Listen to 73 year old Thomas Edison sending part of the following text, which was supplied by Merle Parten, K6DC.

http://normanfield.com/index.php/morse/

All I can add is that the recording of Edison made when he is 73 years old and contains 73 words in the body of the message and signs off with 73s the telegraphic shorthand for "kind regards" so pretty much an in joke for telegraph geeks at he time.
I am told the Morse is slightly different to the later international standard but I cant tell.
Interesting to hear it from a tapper rather than the more common to our ears possibly from RKO pictures or shortwave radio bleep.
Had Edison lived to 88 he would have been obliged to sign off with "love and kisses" by the same reasoning.

As interesting as this is to listen to morse code on a record, has anyone ever "seen" the elusive Helen Keller DD done in braille?

Ended:May 17, 2020 , 9:01PM
Winning bid:US $1,325.00
[ 17 bids ]
Shipping:$15.75 Expedited Ship

JAR

GAR wrote:Ended:May 17, 2020 , 9:01PM
Winning bid:US $1,325.00
[ 17 bids ]
Shipping:$15.75 Expedited Ship

JAR

$1340 for ONE RECORD! Funny thing with me, I spend lots of money on machines but I bargain hunt when it comes to records. I hate paying more than $25-$30 for a single record. This is probably the reason why I still don’t own any Paramount, Black Patti, or Black Swan blues numbers or any Berliners, zonophones, 7 inch Victors, or brown wax records either.

Maybe I should sell my copy.

Rich Gordon

This record also exists in Blue Amberol. I found one many years ago and traded it to Charles Tyler. Not sure where it went when he sold his collection before he died.

Bill

I've seen this record on eBay before, maybe 15 yrs ago?
If I remember correctly it went for about $1000 less, so either someone got a bargain, or someone paid way too much ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

rgordon939 wrote:Maybe I should sell my copy.

Rich Gordon

Nice how you telegraphed your intentions there!