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Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2024 3:55 pm
by OddRomanian
Hello!
I have found this cylinder I was interested in, and I have no idea whether It's a 4 or 2 minute one. It's box doesn't match so I can't know the label, and It's only got the name on It, no serial number, no orchestra, nothing.
I've asked some other collectors and I have gotten conflicting answers.
Can anyone help me determine if It's 2 or 4 minute?
https://imgur.com/a/tv8U62x
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:22 am
by Dulcetto
Difficult to say for sure without having clearer pictures , but likelihood is that it is a two minute record . The reason I say that is that all the four minute cylinders I have ever seen ( other than Edison Blue Amberol ) are marked in some way to indicate that the record is four minute so as the owner doesn't mistake it for a two minute record. Blue Amberols are not marked as it is evident from their colour , but black wax and black celluloid records are usually marked " 4M " or " 4 minute " in the lettering on the rim end of the cylinder. This record just has the title " Carmen Marsch " and no indication that it not a two minute record so that suggests it IS a two minute record . Regards Dulcetto
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 11:19 am
by Roaring20s
More than likely it's a 2 minute record.
Playing it on a 2 minute phonograph with a 2 minute reproducer will not harm the record, so just give it a try. It will either play normally or it will skip.
James.
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 12:27 pm
by drh
Given the mouse nibbles, I gather it's wax. Did anyone other than Edison even make 4-minute wax cylinders?
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 6:37 pm
by OddRomanian
drh wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 12:27 pm
Given the mouse nibbles, I gather it's wax. Did anyone other than Edison even make 4-minute wax cylinders?
I'm not sure at all, thank you though!
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 6:37 pm
by OddRomanian
Dulcetto wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 4:22 am
Difficult to say for sure without having clearer pictures , but likelihood is that it is a two minute record . The reason I say that is that all the four minute cylinders I have ever seen ( other than Edison Blue Amberol ) are marked in some way to indicate that the record is four minute so as the owner doesn't mistake it for a two minute record. Blue Amberols are not marked as it is evident from their colour , but black wax and black celluloid records are usually marked " 4M " or " 4 minute " in the lettering on the rim end of the cylinder. This record just has the title " Carmen Marsch " and no indication that it not a two minute record so that suggests it
IS a two minute record . Regards
Dulcetto
Very informative, thank you!
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 6:38 pm
by OddRomanian
Roaring20s wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 11:19 am
More than likely it's a 2 minute record.
Playing it on a 2 minute phonograph with a 2 minute reproducer will not harm the record, so just give it a try. It will either play normally or it will skip.
James.
Thank you!
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:18 pm
by paradroid1793
drh wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 12:27 pm
Given the mouse nibbles, I gather it's wax. Did anyone other than Edison even make 4-minute wax cylinders?
Yes. Oxford & I think Indestructible?
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:48 pm
by CarlosV
paradroid1793 wrote: Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:18 pm
Yes. Oxford & I think Indestructible?
You're correct, Indestructible made 4 minute cylinders, I have some of these.
Re: Is This Cylinder 2 or 4 Minute?
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 5:23 pm
by drh
Sure, others made 4-minute celluloid cylinders, but I was wondering if anyone besides Edison made them of wax?