An Intersting 7" Celluloid Record

[gramophone78]

Here is a funny looking record Circa 1903 made from fibre board coated with a thin layer of celluloid.

http://youtu.be/dioYvYc47lE

Enjoy!!!!

[gramophoneshane]

That's in great condition Wayne. Those Nicole discs seldom are. Nice score...Congratulations.

[WDC]

Are you really sure that it is celluloid? I have Nicole 10" of the same color. To me it does appear to be hard rubber.

Nice video!

[gramophoneshane]

There seems to be some confusion about the substance used to laminate Nicole discs.
Most sites on the net call it celluloid, but a couple others generalize it by say it's "some sort of substance". One says it's similar to linoleum, while another says it's a rubberised material.
I've never seen one in person, but if it is indeed celluloid, it should have a distinct celluloid smell to it, similar to blue amberols (particularly straight after playing).

[WDC]

A very interesting point! By miracle I found mine within a few seconds and made the alcohol test by wiping the blank area. There was indeed a faint odor of camphor as it would appear with Blue Amberols (which is, of course the reason why they should be cleaned with alcohol).

Anyway it was nowhere near as strong as with a BA. So, we may not be much further than before. Even if camphor was used for Nicole records, it does not necessarily mean that it was used with celluloid.

The surface has the usual look of a laminated disc, having a smooth but somewhat uneven surface. To me, it still not does feel or look like celluloid. If one could provide a patent we would probably know it for sure.

[JHolmesesq]

Nicole records were one of the first (if not the first) records to be produced in England at the turn of the century. They inspired the later Durium records and Hit Of The Week, substituting Durium resin for the celluloid which was too noisy.

An interesting point, I believe the Nicole records are vertically recorded, so play them back so!

[gramophone78]

Thanks all for the comments. As far as I know later Nicole made both 7 & 10 inch records. If you look at the very bottom of my pic you can see thr thin surface lifting from the fibre base. If you rub the edge you get that standard smell one gets from celluloid. However, maybe it is another substance. This record is a lateral pressed recording as you can see & hear on my video. If I had used a thicker needle it would have been a lot louder. On the back it states to use Nicole needles.

[Swing Band Heaven]

The Nicole record I have is laterally cut and not vertical. I don't know what it is covered with, other than a fibre boad centre is used. WDC is correct in that it doesn't have the feel of celluloid - nor does it have that kind of feel to it either. Celluloid has a definate sound when you tap it which Nicole disks don't. Perhaps its vulcanised rubber?

Interestingly, whilst the start of Nicole disks are often worn - my copy from about half way through is in excellent condition and the surface is very very quiet. Only worn ones are noisy.

S-B-H

[gramophoneshane]

There was indeed a faint odor of camphor as it would appear with Blue Amberols (which is, of course the reason why they should be cleaned with alcohol).

BUT only ever use isopropyl alcohol.
Methyl alcohol, which is used to dissolve shellac, also dissolves celluloid!
It's quite safe to use on condensite however, & IMO does the best job. It also has the advantage of containing far less water than Isopropyl.

[Swing Band Heaven]

@ Shane - oops! Hope that wasn't a valuable one LOL!