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Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2020 10:19 am
by RefSeries
Help! I am trying to assemble a list of the Mexican two minute Edison Blue Amberol cylinders in the catalogue range of (at least) 1201 to 1278. I have details of some titles, but very many more 'gaps'. I have not been able to find a catalogue, and they seem to be missed on the usual cylinderography publications. Does anyone have a list, please? Or, failing that, does anyone have some of these records and is kind enough to let me know the title and artist?
Many thanks
Keith
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2020 4:36 am
by Wagnerian
Dear K,
I've looked everywhere I can think of to try and even find a reference to these Mexican BAs but have drawn a blank. Presumably the Edison company did not wish to draw attention to them as they either had or were about to, discontinue the manufacture of 2 minute cylinders.
As you may have picked up, there is one of these in the current Nauck's auction
No. 1221 Los Amores De Un Charro played by M. Rosales. Likely to be a pressing from 2-min. wax cylinder no. 18535
There is also one on You-Tube "Batalla del 5 de Mayo, 2a Parte" Varios Artistas but unfortunately it doesn't give the BA number but seems to be taken from wax cylinder no. 20013.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Regards
TW-W
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2020 5:33 am
by phonosandradios
I didn't even know that they made 2 minute BA's. You learn something new everyday

Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2020 6:10 am
by epigramophone
RefSeries wrote:Help! I am trying to assemble a list of the Mexican two minute Edison Blue Amberol cylinders in the catalogue range of (at least) 1201 to 1278. I have details of some titles, but very many more 'gaps'. I have not been able to find a catalogue, and they seem to be missed on the usual cylinderography publications. Does anyone have a list, please? Or, failing that, does anyone have some of these records and is kind enough to let me know the title and artist?
Many thanks
Keith
Try Paul Morris. When I saw him recently the subject came up in conversation.
Roger.
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2020 11:23 am
by gramophoneshane
I've got 2M-1262
Episodio Historico Batalla Del 5 De Mayo 2a
No artist is named.
It's on YouTube is anyone wants to hear it.
It sounds like the one quoted above on YouTube, but my cylinder title doesn't include "part or various artists"
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2020 8:08 pm
by GeorgeDixon
RefSeries wrote:Help! I am trying to assemble a list of the Mexican two minute Edison Blue Amberol cylinders in the catalogue range of (at least) 1201 to 1278. I have details of some titles, but very many more 'gaps'. I have not been able to find a catalogue, and they seem to be missed on the usual cylinderography publications. Does anyone have a list, please? Or, failing that, does anyone have some of these records and is kind enough to let me know the title and artist?
Many thanks
Keith
I would reach out to John Levin. I believe he is working on a similar project.
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2020 7:21 am
by RefSeries
Thanks Roger and George, I will try John. I am trying to update the CLPGS Reference Series No.6 and this is a missing link. I have only been able to find six titles but I am sure Paul and John will be able to help. Discography (cylinderography?) compilation is a bit like stamp collecting - There are always gaps to fill!
Keith
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2020 7:02 am
by AllenReisner
In 1997 the late Ron Dethlefson issued a 47-page supplement, limited edition (600 copies) Edison Blue Amberol 1912 – 1914 Companion.
Therein he cataloged 87 of the known titles at the time. Although 200 numbers were reserved, it is doubtful that many were released.
Edison referred to these as “Blue Standard” or ”Standard Azules”
There is also a reference to the Antique Phonograph Monthly. Vol. VI. No. 3, by Allen Koenigsberg for a more-detailed story on these cylinders.
Mr. Dethlefson also documented a 2 minute, napkin-ring BA, used by the Automatic Talking Machine Co., which played a short message when you bought a cigar from a vending machine.
These materials are protected under the Copyright Act and I cannot reproduce them here.
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2020 5:15 pm
by Dulcetto
phonosandradios wrote:I didn't even know that they made 2 minute BA's. You learn something new everyday

Also , the Blue Amberol ICS Language instruction course records are 2 - minute. ( 100 t.p.i. ) recorded at 90 rpm !
Re: Two minute Blue Amberols
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:02 pm
by Lucius1958
Dulcetto wrote:phonosandradios wrote:I didn't even know that they made 2 minute BA's. You learn something new everyday

Also , the Blue Amberol ICS Language instruction course records are 2 - minute. ( 100 t.p.i. ) recorded at 90 rpm !
Are you certain about that? There was an ICS adaptor for the Amberola 30; and I do not recall that it required any special gearing - just the external speed control.
-Bill