The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello group

I have a question about a new cylinder I picked up. I have never owned a Lampert cylinder and from what I know some are quite valuable.

I have over the years seen pink Lamberts in different collection and pretty much know what they look like.

Recently I found a cylinder in an Antique Shop in my area which look different from any that I have.
The cylinder is a two minute cylinder black in color and the lettering on the edge is raised. There is a patent date on July 29, 1902 with a record number of #575. The song is titled "Orch. Overture to Semiramide".

There is a secondary ridge about ½ in inside the title end of the cylinder followed by what looks to be some type of cardboard roll to support the playing surface.

I had to sand this secondary ridge a little to get a full play out of the cylinder and it sound very good. I did notice that the actual playing surface might have been a tan or beige color because during the sanding of the interior, I hit the top edge in a couple places and lighter tan color started to bleed/show through.

Any help would be appreciated.

Gary Blizzard
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Are there any metal rings inside the ends? It sounds like an Albany Indestructible: the patent date is the same, and the cardboard backing - and the early versions had raised lettering (iirc: I know the early U.S. Everlasting cylinders did).

I don't have any Lamberts; but I believe they didn't have a backing (at least in the photos I've seen of them).....

Bill

Yes, it's an Indestructible. 575- Semiramide Overture by Lacalle's Orchestra, & released in Nov 1907.
It seems that during the first couple months of production, Indestructibles did indeed have raised titles etc, but they soon changed to the regular inscribed text that is common on most other cylinders.

Thanks for replying to my question. I found a site that talks about Black Lamberts in there final days having a cardboard core but did not see any mention of a metal ring which this cylinder does have.

Here is a link to the site for those interested..

http://www.cylinder.de/guide_lambert-cylinders.html

The second paragraph eludes to the fact that they started to sell under the the name of Ebony.

Thanks again for your replies.

Gary Blizzard

From that site : "Especially black Lamberts are highly susceptible to cracks and breakage while being exposed to physical stress. Generally do always avoid forcing any cylinder on the mandrel in case it does not fit!"

Sadly & very true. I clumsily pushed one onto the mandrel too hard, and it split asunder! Very unhappy, was I .