The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was able to find a free link for this pretty cool "Antiques Roadshow" clip. It's on a RCA record from 1927, it looks huge, but the diameter is not disclosed. This record coincides with the first talkie, The Jazz Singer - Al Jolson. I would love to find out more about these early soundtracks

https://www.pbs.org/video/appraisal-192 ... sc-k6qm6q/

I hope this free link works for everyone

sorry guys - I posted in the Music Section, but for Marketplace - apologies

No worries!

What a cool record. I wonder if others from this film survive. Of course, this RCA Victor Company, Inc. pressing is not from 1927...

Pathé Logical wrote: Mon Nov 17, 2025 8:13 pm No worries!

What a cool record. I wonder if others from this film survive. Of course, this RCA Victor Company, Inc. pressing is not from 1927...

Just what I was going to say...
- Bill

Every Vitaphone disc I’ve seen or owned was 16” center start. A reading of “Collector’s Guide to Victor Records” (2nd revised edition) by Michael Sherman with Kurt Nauck (VERY highly recommended) sheds some light. Since it has a “Sample” label, it was most likely pressed for a studio executive and not an actual theater use record. In the book, a photo of a theater use record from “The Jazz Singer” (reels 7&8) shows a decidedly larger label with the requisite grid to check off how many times the record had been played and, interestingly, outside start. Keep in mind “The Jazz Singer” was about 90% silent. The only sound portions were of Jolson singing or improvising. I do agree that since RCA bought VTM in January 1929, the record in the video could not possibly have been pressed in 1927. As the owner said in the video, it was most likely pressed and given to her family member as a token of appreciation for his work on the Vitaphone process.
It is a very interesting record and story. Thanks for sharing it.

Steve

In 1927 the company was still Victor Talking Machine Co.edisonplayer.