Looking for a black label 14 inch Victor Record

[Edisonfan]

Okay, maybe someone on here can help me out? I recently picked up two 8" Victor records, for $2.00 a piece. I did not know Victor had ever produced 8 inch records. So, now I have 7, 8, 10, and 12 inch victor records. If I could find a 14 inch Black label Victor record, my collection of different size Victor records will be complete!

Thanks so much!

Paul

[OrthoSean]

Good luck in your search, Paul!

14 inch Victors are very rare and when they do turn up, you'll likely be paying $200 plus for a nice one, I've seen them sell even higher than that.

Sean

[Edisonfan]

Really? $200.00. WOW!

Thank You Sean

[brianu]

I didn't even realize victor made 14-inch discs. were these in production long? and were they used for any specific types of music?

[Edisonfan]

As far as I know, very few were made. They played for six minutes, at 60 rpm's. Because of their size, and impracticality, Victor ceased production on them. 1903 is when they were produced. Cost $2.00. Maybe George F. Paul could shed some more light on these behemoths.


Paul

[Valecnik]

As far as I know, very few were made. They played for six minutes, at 60 rpm's. Because of their size, and impracticality, Victor ceased production on them. 1903 is when they were produced. Cost $2.00. Maybe George F. Paul could shed some more light on these behemoths.


Paul

Pathé had their equally impractical giant concert discs. Only the top of the line machines could even play them, no convenient storage and they weigh a ton. Also highly valued and very rare...

[OrthoSean]

I didn't even realize victor made 14-inch discs. were these in production long? and were they used for any specific types of music?

They were all orchestral pieces. In the new Sherman / Nauck book there is a complete listing of them all. Somewhere around 12 titles were available. If I have time later, I'll get the info from the book.

As far as 14 inch Pathé discs, I don't find them to be nearly as rare as the Victors, I've amassed a nice little pile of those (Pathé 14 inchers) over the years. They sure are LOUD!

Sean

[Valecnik]

Yes the Pathé's CERTAINLY are loud and much clearer than the Victors, I mean in the smaller sizes. I've never compared the two in the largest size.

[Edisonfan]

WOW! I did not know that Pathé' had made 14 inch discs as well.

[syncopeter]

Pathé did make a certain number of 50cm (19 ½") records but they are as rare as hen's teeth. They were, as all etched-label center center start Pathés, mechanically copied from a concert roll and sound no better than ordinary 11" ones. I've only seen one unbroken copy in over 30 years of collecting and that was a completely uninteresting piece of orchestral rubbish.
Why Pathé made such a staggering amount of formats completely boggles my mind. It seems such a waste of time and money.
On another note, there seems to be an inordinate number of different Pathé machines. Before EMI took over around the late 1920s every machine appears to be different to the other, as if they were bespoke manufacturers. I know, I'm hijacking this thread, so moderators feel free to separate, but I'm getting fascinated. They used what now seems to be primitive technique, but the result is still excellent, by far surpassing Edison and Victor/HMV at the time.