The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all,

I'm sure that you're familiar with the talent/song title being etched/written beneath the label of earlier Victors, but I'd never seen that on a Climax or Columbia Silver Ring label.

The title is Old Kentucky Home; artist is listed simply as "Tenor" underneath the label. It's George J. Gaskin, and there's no record of in the DAHR of him in association with this catalogue number (yet). The selection is announced as a Columbia record.

There's also a 22, but it's scratched out. Columbia 22 is a Cal Stewart selection.

I only have so many Climax and Columbia Silver Ring records (about sixty altogether), and there are almost 1100 of the latter. Does anyone else have one comparable to this? I'm sure there must be more out and about; Climax/Columbia was so delightfully "spontaneous" for its first year or so.

The only silver ring Columbia with etching under the label is no. 465. It's Vess L. Ossman playing Creole Belles and was recorded in November, 1901. Etched is the number 1282.

I took a photo of the label last night, but I'm having a hard time finding it to upload. I can see the image stored in my downloads, but when I try to upload it, it's just not there. I also tried clicking and dragging but that's not working, either.

I find that very interesting that the etched number is far higher than the catalogue number. I hope that you're able to load a photo of it.

Thanks.