Here’s What’s New in the Third Edition:

• All confirmed matrix numbers and takes

• Numerous previously undocumented takes, alternate versions, and remakes

• Expanded historical introduction, including newly uncovered details of the Lambert-to-Indestructible transition and Indestructible’s British operations

• New user’s guide, including a detailed explanation of Indestructible’s complex matrix series, take indicators, mold markings, and use of colored celluloid

• Indestructible ephemera section — Vintage advertisements, photos, box styles, and more

• Expanded accompaniment details, medley contents, and composer/show credits

To download, visit the Mainspring Press website at https://mainspringpress.org/ .  Like all Mainspring online publications, "Indestructible Cylinders" is in PDF format and free to download for personal, non-commercial use.

First up is Ernestine Schumann-Heink (1861-1936), who probably needs no introduction. What I find neat about her is that she generally dated her autographs, which allows for some additional research. In this case, it is signed in Fort Worth, TX during April 1926. Even though she was in the twilight of her career, evidently Schumann-Heink visiting town was still a notable affair, as evidenced by the attached newspaper articles. She was even to have thrown the first pitch at a local baseball game, but that and her concert had to be cancelled due to an "attack of laryngitis". 

“Dizzy Dishes” 1930 Fleischer studios cartoon. First Appearance of Betty Boop.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_Dishes
 

If you listen you’ll hear Billy Murray and Walter Van Brunt. Early Betty is Margie Hines. Billy Costello of course is the gorilla.

We have received some unusual artifacts from personal collections that have been seldom, if ever seen.  We were fortunate to scan a miscellaneous grouping of documents from a direct descendant of the Gennett family, founders of the Starr – Gennett Piano and Phonograph Companies, Richmond, Indiana.

While resource availability to organize and categorize these documents has been limited, one of the more interesting pieces is this copy of the original contract Hoagy Carmichael signed for the recording of “Stardust”.

Mountain Chief of Piegan Blackfeet making phonographic record at Smithsonian. The interviewer is ethnologist Frances Densmore. 1916.

Further documentation available at:

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/mountain-chief-blackfoot-1916/

Although the photo was probably staged, it does show anthropologist Frances Densmore sitting with Mountain Chief of the Blackfoot Indian tribe, while he interprets a song in Plains Indian sign language. The photo was taken for the Bureau of American Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institute on February 9, 1916.

Mountain Chief was a Blackfoot leader of the 19th century. He belonged to the Kainai or Blood tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy. His Blackfoot name was Ninna-stako (also spelled Ninastoko, Nina-istako, Ninaa-iistako, Ninaiistako, and other ways), and was a reference to the name of an important mountain in the traditional territory of his band.

Mountain Chief began his career as a warrior leader in 1866 at age eighteen, when he led a Blackfoot war party against the Crows at Cypress Hills.

In an 1873 battle against the Crow, he was badly wounded in one of his legs. Ninastoko limped for the rest of his life. Although aggressive in the face of the Blackfoot’s traditional native enemies, Mountain Chief was more accommodating to immigrating Euro-Americans.

During his work as a negotiator, Mountain Chief met four US presidents-McKinley, Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, and Wilson. He also worked with General Hugh L. Scott for several years to record Plains Indians’ sign languages. Ninastoko went blind late in life and died in 1942 at age ninety-four at his home in Blood Indian Reserve, Montana.

Watch Here!

A 1917 Atlas of Huntington Station shows A. Flaherty, her married name, living in a house on Chestnut Street, about two blocks from the Long Island Railroad train station.  Chestnut Street is now Wyman Avenue, with a group of older houses.

Using the photographs of Ada at her house posted on Ryan Barna’s Phonostalgia website (http://www.phonostalgia.com/jones/photos2.html), Ada Jones lived at what is now 59 Wyman Street, Huntington Station NY.  I attach a composite with some of the identification points – the cinderblock base to the porch and the pitched roof of the house to the north of 59 Wyman.

I also attach a front view of the house as it currently looks.  Compared to the old photos, there used to be two entry doors, one at either end of the porch.  The north one is gone.  The house may have been a duplex with the two entrances, since a 1920 census has the family of Ada Jones (Ada Flaherty, Hugh Flaherty, Sheelah Flaherty) living with the Mackie’s (Arthur, wife Rosina, son Arthur).

( I had posted this previously but it was wiped out by some site glitch.)

Here is a link to the museum: https://www.bixmuseum.org/

The Gennett’s, aka Gennett Records & Starr Piano Company, Richmond, Indiana, were apparently supporters of the Bryan campaign.

On November 15, 1896, the year the speech was delivered at the convention, Alice Gennett dispatched a letter to William J. Bryan.  It wasn’t until September 24, 1897, that she received a reply from Mary B. Bryan:

Many years later, July 3, 1923, William J. Bryan recorded a portion of that famous speech for Gennett Records; albeit, missing the “fire and brimstone” from years earlier:

Speech Closing:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/P475h6ZmrFeCPXA6/?mibextid=WC7FNe

November 18, 1882:  Born: Amelita Galli-Curci, popular lyric coloratura soprano whose exclusive contract with Victor spanned 1916-1930.

November 26, 1963: Died.

#antiquephonographsociety #phonograph #gramophone #antique

In Berlin's heart, a genius sparked,
A sound revolution, growing dark,

Emile Berliner, a mind profound,
With gramophone invention, world renowned.

From humble roots in Prussia's land,
His passion for sound began to expand,

The phonograph's limits, he aimed to break,
And a new era of music, he would make.

In eighteen seventy-seven, a vision took shape,
A spinning disc, a needle's gentle scrape,

The gramophone emerged, with charm and grace,
Breathing life into sounds, filling every space.

Oh, Emile Berliner, your invention would sing,
A symphony of melodies, cultural love bring,

Through grooves and textures, captured so true,
Musicians' spirits, released and anew.

The gramophone spun, like a wheel of time,
Through scratch and crackle, a symphony would climb,

From Beethoven's symphonies to jazz's freestyle,
Emile Berliner's device made music worthwhile.

With melodies swirling, spinning through the air,
The world embraced this tool, a treasure rare,

No longer confined to live performances grand,
The gramophone offered music at your command.

From Victrola cabinets to portable designs,
Emile Berliner's gramophone, a marvel that shines,

Through generations, its legacy has grown,
A testament to invention that's eternally known.

So let us raise a toast, to this man so bright,
Whose gramophone brought melodies to light,

Emile Berliner, an innovator supreme,
Your harmonious creation, an immortal dream.

A souvenir from the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition which ran from June 1st to October 15, 1905 in Portland, Oregon.

A friend recently had the sound from his 1905 Columbia Napkin Ring Cylinder Record digitally transferred. The cylinder is from the Portland Lewis and Clark Exposition. This record is the clearest recording of a so called “Napkin Ring” record I have ever heard.

Gladys, the narrator, put together a very clever and humorous dialog between her and her friend Ida all about meeting to attend the Fair. I did my best to caption the dialog. If anyone hears mistakes with my hearing of the words please let me know. I think it is pretty accurate.

Here is a 1905 picture of the intersection of 3rd and Washington St. in downtown Portland where Gladys and Ida decided to meet. From there they would have taken a trolly to the Fair.

Here are some views of the Exposition from 1905

December 27, 1889:  Thomas A. Edison filed for a U.S. patent for a water-powered phonograph motor.  Although a failure in the marketplace, Edison chose them as presentation machines for Czar Alexander III and pianist Josef Hofmann.

January 23, 1894: Thomas A. Edison was granted a U.S. patent (No.513,095) for a water-powered phonograph motor.

From Discovering Antique Phonographs, by Fabrizio & Paul.  All Rights Reserved.

From Discovering Antique Phonographs, by Fabrizio & Paul.  All Rights Reserved.

https://medium.com/anne-t-kent-california-room-community-newsletter/inspired-inventor-community-supporter-leon-f-douglass-in-san-rafael-a2d3a34032dd