Re: [ARSCLIST] Letters on 4 minute cylinders

[jfab11 <jfab11@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jerry-

It's been suggested to me that these letters may refer to location of the recording session.  I haven't thoroughly tested this theory, but I do find that it makes sense in many cases.  Prior to World War One, Edison had studios not only in New York City, but also in a few major foriegn cities.  The "A-" might stand for America (meaning New York), "B-" for Britian, "M-" for Mexico, etc.  

For example, Amberol "4M-12050  (B- ..5)" is the British Concert Orchestra - recorded in Britian?

Amberol "4M-15049  (G- .6)" is the Johann Strauss Orchester - recorded in Germany?

Amberol "4M-06002  (M- .4)" is Banda de Artilleria de Mexico - recorded in Mexico?

The most common letter that I find is "A-", which would make sense looking at records in America.

-Jerry Fabris
Edison NHS




-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Jerry McBride
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 6:21 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Letters on 4 minute cylinders


In looking at the 4-minute Edison cylinders, both the Gold Moulded and 
the Amberols, we noticed that there is sometimes a letter preceding the 
word, Patd, on the rim. Most of ours have an A, but there some that are 
B, M, and K. Does anyone happen to know what the significance of these 
letters are?

Is it possible that it has something to do with the cutting or playback 
stylus?

-- 
Jerry McBride, Head Librarian
Music Library and Archive of Recorded Sound
Braun Music Center, Room 104
Stanford University
541 Lasuén Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3076

Jerry.McBride@xxxxxxxxxxxx
650-725-1146
650-725-1145 (fax)