I have been collecting old 78’s for several years but never come across this pair before, the Titanic one in particular is a nice find as the last one I saw was in a museum! I thought I’d share as I’d be happy to add any others I come across and see any unusual ones folks here may have.
Released in 1912 to raise funds for Titanic survivors.
and a one sided disc issued in the early years of WW1
I believe that pre-dates World War I, as carries the name ‘International Zonophone Company’, which they stopped using in 1910. Zonophone suppsedly stopped pressing single-sided records a year or so later, when they introduced their ‘The Twin’ imprint.
I’ll have a dig around to see if I can details on the recording or release date – it should be documented somewhere, as the Zonophone label was the budget imprint of The Grammophone Company (i.e. His Master’s Voice).
It was recorded in London in 1907.
The performer appears to be a certain Peter Dawson, who seems to have recorded a lot – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Dawson_(bass-baritone)
I know nothing about Peter Dawson except that Tom Good plays a song by him in an episode of The Good Life. Something to do with encouraging the plants to grow?
I thought that was “The Bandolero” – “always had us jumping around the playroom”!
excellent research JQW, thank you
Do you play them?
absolutely, I have a lovely gramophone (well I like it) it’s portable and has a good sound
Cool
Great find! We don’t see stuff like this on the other side of the pond. But we have lots of Caruso singing “Over There”.
Back a few years ago, I had a record label putting out high quality 78 transfers… dance bands, British swing, classical, opera. If anyone is interested, I’d be happy to share them. There’s some amazing stuff in the batch, and I’m not doing anything with it any more. Just let me know.
I’d love to hear some British swing – can you post links to a few examples here?
Sure. I’ll start a new thread for it.
Double post. Sorry!
Indeed I’d be interested in what you have, having curtailed my 78 buying @Bigshot.
What kind of music would you like? Classical, opera, WWI era, dance bands, British swing…
Don’t really need the Classical and Opera but the rest sound fine and dandy. Thank you.
Got this?
played it on my show a few months ago!
Not Harry Roy, but I’m uploading a full CD of Ambrose & his Orchestra and Joe Daniels and his Hotshots in Drumnastics.
Fascinating stuff.
One of the most beautiful 78’s I have is this stunning and quite beautiful one. I purchased a classical music collection last year which was mostly albums but in with the lot were a few 78 gems including this. A very heavy double sided 12″ picture disc with music by Geori Boué and Roger Bourdin titled Ave Maria / Panis Angelicus, released in the early 50’s possibly late 40’s, maybe someone knows more about it?
French in origin, from a company named S.A.S.A, who issued records from 1949 to the mid 1950s.
They tended to be issued on the French Saturne imprint, but were sold in the UK using the Anglisised name Saturn instead with credits in English. This particular record is featured on Discogs.com under both those imprints.
However this particular one carries the label name ‘Le Lutrin’, of which I can’t find any trace. Perhaps it was an export label for some other country, or there were rights issues with the name Saturn?
thank you for the info JQW, very little info on Discogs too but at least it’s mentioned
some 78’s you never knew were by modern artists
If they’re not already, I think the British Museum will be in contact with you soon!
The very fragility of these things probably means that a significant percentage of each one goes to shellac heaven with every passing year.
I offered to do an exhibition at 2 local libraries and they expressed an interest then weeks later silence, so the collection stays in my front room for now… I have many more discs to post here, and don’t get me started on my late father’s exotic postcard collection! lol
“My late father’s exotic postcard collection” sounds like the title of an obscure George Formby song.
haha, yes it probably is
A curious 6″ 78 from 1928 featuring the voice of the John Bull Tyre Company co-founder, Hubert Burton on one side and a choral version of Land Of Hope & Glory on the flip.
promo from 1931 extolling the delights and Romance of Marconiphone
Barry made it to 86 but this is his 78
No. 1 in Finland!
only as a 45 though