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Two images to show what is in my collection of a Columbia demonstration record. I would like to know a date of release or when this could possibly have been available. As I have a Columbia player that will need restoring in the future, this would make a good addition to the display and use of the player.

I want to say 1908 for that record.

I have one I think is the same as yours. The other side features a demonstration of instruments of the orchestra with an announcer braying on about "the delicate tones of the flute...the gossamer sweetness of the violin" and so on.

Of course, these records were to promote Columbia's new two sided records, replacing single sided ones across their line, which the Victor company soon followed, except for Red Seal records.

The matrix number on this disc is the series of raised numbers showing slightly through the label, under the spindle hole. Perhaps you could post the number, as it will then be possible to estimate when it was recorded.

Yes, I realized after I took the images that the matrix number would needed. Will post that info ASAP. Yes the second side of the record has the announcer braying

Viva-Tonal wrote:The matrix number on this disc is the series of raised numbers showing slightly through the label, under the spindle hole. Perhaps you could post the number, as it will then be possible to estimate when it was recorded.

As best as can be read under lighted magnafier....1694-8 (0r 1684-8)with the letters AA above that on the side of the record with the announcer extolling the virtues of Columbia Records

Just found the info on gracyk.com website...here it is
The Columbia Male Quartette sings "Kentucky Babe" on one side of a "Special Demonstration Double-Disc" record ("This Record is NOT For Sale") widely distributed by the Columbia Phonograph Company from late 1910 to late 1913.

Kentucky Babe is the song the Male Quartette sings. I dug around for my copy of that record and played it. Interestingly the matrix info under the label of my disc reads like:

298

1910 4I BB.

I guess it could be as late as 1910, I've no reason to doubt Tim Gracyk. The double discs were introduced a fair bit earlier than that, and I guess they wanted to promote them for as long as possible, in that light.

I think that record was available till well into 1910 or later. It was of course Frank C. Stanley speaking and who would die in 1910. By 1910 the novelty of a double sided record has run its course.

Although dealers were expected to give the discs to customers free of charge, Columbia charged the dealers to purchase them!

When a second demonstration disc was issued in 1913, it carried a price of 25 Cents on the label.

I particularly like these words spoken on one of Pathé's demonstration discs :

"........with care, I will live to speak to your grandchildren when they are as old as you are."

My Pathé discs still play well after 100 years, but will my grandchildren still own them over 60 years from now? I hope so.

I have read that the first double-sided records were issued in Europe in 1904. The double-sided Victors appeared in the USA about 1908. I would expect that Columbia changed about the same time.

My Columbia double-sided demo record has a huge label on one side, and a regular size label on the other.