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Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 4:55 pm
by Victroid
I found a strange test pressing. It is probably acoustic and made by Columbia. The only bits of information I can find are that it is instrumental and is “No 78051”. What is this record? I can’t even read anything in the title except for the first letter which is P because the pencil is so worn out.
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:14 pm
by vintagetenor
Columbia matrix No. 78051 would be from 1918.
Can you play it?
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:14 pm
by Inigo
What I see there is No A7051...
the inscription engraved under the label at the right side reads something like 70...1, the third number not understandable, looks like a C... or a reversed 5... Who knows
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:45 pm
by Victroid
It doesn’t help that the label is so worn and old that I can’t read most of it.
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 11:26 pm
by Roaring20s
These questions may help ...
What company use this exact label?
A7051 or A70515
matrix possibly 1201 or 1301 or 1041
Can anyone identify this music?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thQdA8PJ94E
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 1:18 am
by Inigo
I've found Brunswick SA7051 in DAHR, but it's a vocal duet.
No clues...
Cannot try now if Google knows this music
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 10:31 am
by Victroid
Based on the fact that the last 5 looks like it was added later and that the 0 has a bit of a loop on it, it is either A7051 or A7851 which both would be Columbia. It also feels like it has the heavy weight of a Columbia record rather than the light weight of a Victor. I assume it was made before 1923.
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 11:28 am
by vintagetenor
It sounds like one of the Green Brothers orchestras.
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 8:44 am
by Inigo
The thing is that A7851 or A7051 don't seem to fit in the range of a Columbia matrix for that era. Could it be a victor matrix? Gramophone Co matrix?
If the A were not A but 4, it could be 47051 or 47851, but DAHR neither gives anything similar to that
An investigation is needed in Steven C Barr 'Almost Complete 78 rpm Guide' or in the web 78 rpm Discography which has all matrices from all brands together...
Re: Unknown Test Pressing
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2025 9:50 am
by melvind
It is a song called Arabia and sounds very much like the same performance as this cylinder record (dubbed from a diamond disc) by the Green Brothers.
https://youtu.be/ezd5H5_vs3I?si=AMNNjGZRDxTQaQho
There is a Brunswick version from about 1920 by the Green Brothers of Arabia. It could be it.
https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/ ... 683-Arabia