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Since quite a while I tried to get a Lambert Imperial 6-inch cylinder in red celluloid. Finally I could secure one, see below: Imperial Record No. 14, Imperial Concert Band: By the Swanee River. Unfortunately the cylinder is cracked but I will restore it.

Little is known about this type. I only found a short note in The Talking Machine News, Volume 2, No. 12, April 1905, on page 7: "The new six-inch records [by the Lambert Record Co.] are now ready. These records will be made in a new red celluloid, which will also be used for some standard records."

Despite this announcement, the vast majority of 6-inch Lamberts found today are black in colour. Interestingly, it follows from the above that standard-sized cylinders in red celluloid could exist.

Market launch of the Imperial cylinders began moderately. I found the first advertisement only in The Talking Machine News of August 1905 which mentions that "[o]ur catalogue of over 100 selections will be ready in a few days [...]." (Volume 3, No. 28, August 1905, page 162) After a few months the production was discontinued, with the result that this type of cylinder is rarely found.

This brings me to a few questions:
1. How many red Lamberts in both sizes survive?
2. What are the titles and numbers?
3. Does a copy of the above mentioned Lambert Imperial catalogue exist?
4. Do you have a black Imperial cylinder with a number higher than 84, which is the highest number I have read about?

Thanks for the post. I have never seen a 6" Lambert. Jerry Blais

Very nice find Starkton.
This is only the second Imperial cylinder I've ever seen... the first was on ebay maybe 5 years ago, so they certainly dont show up very often at all, & I still haven't seen any of the 3 Imperial machines that Edison-Bell marketed in 1905 to play the new Imperial cylinders.

That is a really nice find, It is a very pretty cylinder, congratulations! I guess I am one of the few people who find cylinders pretty, beings I make them. I have toyed with the idea of making reproduction cylinders in celluloid, they still make the stuff in China for making guitar picks.

edisonphonoworks wrote: they still make the stuff in China for making guitar picks.

And ping-pong balls

Starkton wrote: 2. What are the titles and numbers?
3. Does a copy of the above mentioned Lambert Imperial catalogue exist?

Starkton,
I'm fairly certain (but not 100%) that I've seen a reprint of the Edison-Bell Imperial cylinder list. It was most likely printed by CLPGS but it isn't on their current list so I assume it wasn't a popular item & is no longer being reproduced.
I dont have any of CLPGS's reference series books, but there might be a complete list or additional info in RS1 or RS9??

gramophoneshane wrote: It was most likely printed by CLPGS but it isn't on their current list so I assume it wasn't a popular item & is no longer being reproduced.
I dont have any of CLPGS's reference series books, but there might be a complete list or additional info in RS1 or RS9??

Thank you for the hint. I will contact the CLPGS.

Frank Andrews wrote a comprehensive article about "Lambert in Britain" in the Talking Machine Review, No. 27, April 1974, p. 70-91, which includes an incomplete list of Imperial cylinders. What strikes me is that Andrews didn't list "By the Swanee River", but the polka "Coquette", also played by the Imperial Concert Band under No. 14. Perhaps he is mistaken, because "Coquette" also appears under No. 34, but this time played by the Imperial Military Band. The doubling of titles recurred in the case of No. 78 and 84.

Andrews wrote that all Imperial cylinders he had seen in several collections were ebony black in colour.

gramophoneshane wrote: I'm fairly certain (but not 100%) that I've seen a reprint of the Edison-Bell Imperial cylinder list.

Edison-Bell had little to do with it. The Lambert Co. Ltd. had taken over the business of the Lambert Co. of Chicago carried on in relation to England, The Channel Islands and all British possessions, except Canada. The Imperial cylinders were manufactured in their own factory in London.

Hi Starkton

I have Imperial 6 inch in black no 18.
Having been on ebay for over 10 years the odd imperial in black has turned up as has the odd imperial machine to play the 6 inch cylinders.

Stephen

edisonphonoworks wrote:That is a really nice find, It is a very pretty cylinder, congratulations! I guess I am one of the few people who find cylinders pretty, beings I make them. I have toyed with the idea of making reproduction cylinders in celluloid, they still make the stuff in China for making guitar picks.

Have you considered the possibility of celluloid blanks, to record à la Lioret? That might be interesting.....

budsta wrote: I have Imperial 6 inch in black no 18.

Following the list of Frank Andrews you have an instrumental record, the "Sympathie" valse, by an unknown band. Could you please check your cylinder for the band name?