WTB: Victor Puzzle Records

[maginter]

Hello -

I would like to get some very nice copies of the Victor puzzle and "Pick a winner" horse racing 78 RPM records. Interested in both 10 and 12 inch.

Please let me know what you have.

TIA,

Mark

[Curt A]

Are you looking for any particular titles? There are many different titles/labels and Victor variations... I have at least 40 different ones, but not sure if I have duplicates.

In addition to horse races, there are boat races and "numbers" records apparently used for gambling, along with game records, story records, a commemorative record for the crowning of King George V and an HMV Limerick record with multiple recording bands for different beginnings and endings, etc. There are Zonophone, Berliner and other odd labels.

They are a fascinating bit of technology invented by Emile Berliner.

[maginter]

Are you looking for any particular titles? There are many different titles/labels and Victor variations... I have at least 40 different ones, but not sure if I have duplicates.

In addition to horse races, there are boat races and "numbers" records apparently used for gambling, along with game records, story records, a commemorative record for the crowning of King George V and an HMV Limerick record with multiple recording bands for different beginnings and endings, etc. There are Zonophone, Berliner and other odd labels.

They are a fascinating bit of technology invented by Emile Berliner.

Thanks Curt! I figured that I would start wide and dial in on what was offered. I am more interested in game and gambling records. Just looking for a few nice examples.

Mark

[Curt A]

You would have the best luck inquiring to record collectors who periodically run record auctions in England and Europe or Naucks. The problem finding them is that they're difficult to identify in boxes of records at shows, unless you know specifically what to look for. A lot of collectors are unfamiliar with them, which doesn't help when you are trying to find them.

I have searched US collectors, British collectors, French collectors, German collectors and other countries looking for them and it has taken years to accumulate the ones I have. So, hang in there and send out inquiries to collectors who specialize in odd or unusual records. The Victor records are in a series - Puzzle record #1, Puzzle record #2, 12" Victor "The Conundum" and duplicate records were issued by HMV in the UK, France, etc.

[Curt A]

Here are two on eBay (not mine) - an HMV that is the same as the Victor version and a less seen Zonophone puzzle record.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/296574786640?_ ... R9zIxo_LZA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/176605383354?_ ... BM9ty7j8tk

[Roaring20s]

Mark, PM sent.

James.

[fmblizz]

Can someone tell me why these are referred to as Puzzle Records??

Thank in advance

blizz

[maginter]

Can someone tell me why these are referred to as Puzzle Records??

Thank in advance

blizz

Easier to show you. Multiple song were on one record, or in the case of the gambling records, there would be a different winner if it was a horse race....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9_VGYL ... nel=cdbpdx

[fmblizz]

wow,, thanks.

that's crazy,,, 3 songs per side.... I'm still puzzled about why they are referred to as puzzle records.....

blizz

[Lucius1958]

wow,, thanks.

that's crazy,,, 3 songs per side.... I'm still puzzled about why they are referred to as puzzle records.....

blizz

They used several different parallel tracks, each starting at a different spot on the edge of the disc; so the 'puzzle' was which track the needle would come down on.

-Bill