The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I found 2 records in a box of 78's that i bought at a garage sale. They were manufactured in London by the "Gramophone and Typewriter Ltd. and Sister Companies." I would have taken pics of the playing side but the battery in the camera just died on me. I was just curious if there was any real added value to these records because of the stamp on them. The pics taken are taken in the sunlight and make them look quite rough..they actually look fairly decent sitting here at my computer desk. Thanks for any info provided.

Value depends entirely on what's on the other side. I believe that all or most G&T (Gramophone Co.) single sided records (i.e. prior to 1908 or so), at least all the ones I have, most of which admittedly are operatic, were stamped thusly on the reverse (some are "Reproduced in Russia" as well). No added value.

They are early, that is for sure, but it all depends on the musical content. Value from $1 to ??
All single sided records had a stamp on their back side.

beaumonde wrote:(some are "Reproduced in Russia" as well).

That would be "Reproduced In Hanover", where Emile Berliners brother Joseph had a pressing plant.
The recording angel trademark was used on the back of G&T/HMV records into the later 1920s.

On a few early examples the stamper reads "Grammophon" instead of "Gramophone". An anomaly like this would justify a small markup.

Here's a copy of information about the Grammophon stamp, from The Collector’s Guide to Gramophone Company Record Labels 1898 - 1925 by Howard Friedman.
I really didn't think the Grammophon stamp added any value to a disc at all?

Unfortunately, the sadly deceased Howard Friedman did not visit the archives himself and only had a small collection of records. Some months before he died, I exchanged several emails with him about early records. The statement in the copy of information you cite: "The Angel trademark shown on the right below is found on both 10-inch and 12-inch Schallplatte discs, but not on all of them" is plainly wrong.

I have many early one-sided G & T records, but none bears the "Grammophon" stamp, although I saw a few from other collectors over the years. I have yet to see a later "Schallplatte Grammophon" pressing with that stamper!

I suspect that the unauthorized(?) design variant of the stamper, I am assuming introduced by the headstrong Joseph Berliner, brought him a lot of trouble with the G & T Ltd., certainly proved in the business correspondence.

These reverse designs really are beautiful and I've never seen anything like it. I think it is so interesting how things used to be made decorative (like the back side of these records) even though it wasn't necessary. I notice it in my 100 year old house as well. Things like window hardware, interior and exterior millwork and even printed labels, found on the inside or underside of consumer goods like clocks that would not normally ever be seen. Thanks for starting this thread and including the photos. Very interesting stuff!

I agree with Erich. These reverse imprints are quite beautiful and add a great deal of charm even if there may not be much added value.

Clay

gramophoneshane wrote:

beaumonde wrote:(some are "Reproduced in Russia" as well).

That would be "Reproduced In Hanover", where Emile Berliners brother Joseph had a pressing plant.
The recording angel trademark was used on the back of G&T/HMV records into the later 1920s.

No, like I said, I have a few (including an orange label Battistini singing an excerpt from "William Tell") that were pressed in Russia. Most do say "Reproduced in Hanover", of course, like the example here.