The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I found this Victor puzzle record awhile back and thought it was strange. On side A is "Pick the winner" - a horse race. On side B is "Ring Dem Bells" by Lionel Hampton. I have a number of puzzle records, most of which have races, lottery numbers or games of some sort on both sides. What was the purpose of this record and what market were they targeting? Any ideas are welcome...

I have this one.edisonplayer.

I have a 7-inch brown Canadian Berliner puzzle record that I played maybe once many years ago. I have always wondered, though: What is a puzzle record? Can someone please explain?

Zenger wrote: Sat Oct 18, 2025 1:46 pm I have a 7-inch brown Canadian Berliner puzzle record that I played maybe once many years ago. I have always wondered, though: What is a puzzle record? Can someone please explain?

If you only played it once, literally, you wouldn't know.

Puzzle records were recorded with about 3 different tracks on parallel grooves. Hence each track started at a different spot on the disc. The puzzle was what track you'd land on.

- Bill

I always wondered what the process was in recording these parallel track discs... how'd they DO that? I guess I could ask Jack White, he created a track on his Lazaretto album that has an acoustic and electric version in different grooves that joins up at the end of the song. Records are just so friggin' cool...