The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently bought some cylinders, mostly Amberols. I have found these to be mostly a dark blue. However, these two were included. Were they originally a dark blue?

John

Sometimes, damage and fading can cause the condition seen in the top one. However, varying shades of blue are very common.

The bottom one is just a normal dye variant, the pale blue or white tubes were dipped in dye and the time and the dye made a difference. The other one is from a batch of an alternative dye which they tried, I think in 1913 ,and caused the surface be degraded and wears off showing the base tube colour and increasing surface noise.

The works manger Mr Meadowcroft recollected that dyeing cylinder tubes had to be done on dry days ( or nights ) and would get the staff to do a lot of them when the weather was right and I understand give them time off to compensate.

Thank you both.

John