8 Edison Diamond Disc Records, First Records, 1912-20

Lot of 8, Edison Diamond Disc Records, First Records, Early 20thc

Thomas A. Edison invented the phonograph, the first device for recording and playing back sound, in 1877 but didn't turn his full attention to this invention for another ten years at the least. The evolution went on for decades.  In October 1912 the Edison Diamond Disc Record was introduced. Edison Laboratories had been experimenting with disc records for some 3 years, as the general public seemed to prefer them to cylinders. The thick Edison Discs recorded the sound vertically in the groove rather than laterally (as was the case with Pathé's discs), and could only be played to their full advantage on Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs. This combination produced audio fidelity superior to any other home record playing system of the time. However Edison Discs and phonographs were more expensive than the competitors. This together with the incompatibility of the Edison system with other discs and machines had an adverse effect on Edison's market share. Nonetheless, Edison Discs for a time became the third best selling brand in the United States, behind Victor and Columbia Records.  Prior to World War I various materials used in Edison Discs came in short supply, and many discs pressed during the war were made in part with such make-shift materials as could be acquired at the time. This resulted in problems with surface noise even on new records, and Edison's market share shrank once again.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of these Diamond Discs was the fact that prior to the WWI, Edison Records started a marketing campaign, hiring prominent singers and vaudeville performers to perform along side and alternating with Edison records of their performances played on top-of-the-line "Laboratory Model" Edison Diamond Disc Phonographs. At various stages during the performances, all lights in the theater would be darkened and the audience challenged to guess if what they were hearing was live or recorded; accounts often said that much of the audience was astonished when the lights went back up to reveal only the Edison Phonograph on stage.

We have given you all of the above background because we believe what we are offering in this listing are eight Edison Diamond Discs.  We estimate that they are circa 1912 to 1925.  Knowledgeable ebayers are encouraged to email in with their expertise.  We post all comments received.

The eight records or discs are very thick with an Edison label.  Titles included are:

A Side: "My Father Watches Over Me, Chas. H. Gabriel, Baritone & Chorus. B Side: Mother's Prayers Have Followed Me (B.D. Ackley) Baritone and Chorus

A Side: Glow Worm, Paul Lincke, Edison Concert Band.  B Side: Garden of Roses Waltz, Ellis Brooks, NY Military Band

A Side: Oh What A Pal Was Mary, (Pete Wendling) Baritone with Orchestra. B Side: Sweet Leonore, A.H. Eastman, Tenor with Orchestra

A Side: "Young America, We're Strong for You", William McKenna, Tenor w/ Chorus Orchestra. B Side: "Molly Dear, It's You I'm After", Henry Pether, Tenor w/ Chorus Orchestra.

A Side: "Songs We Used To Sing In Dixie Land" Caro Roma, Contralto.  B Side: "Answer", Alfred G. Robyn, Baritone w/ Orchestra

A Side: "There's A Little Bit Of Bad In Every Good Little Girl" G. Clarke & F. Fischer, Soprano and chorus with orchestra.  B Side: "I Was Never Nearer Heaven In My Life" Ted Snyder, Tenor w/ Orchestra

A Side: "As We Parted At The GAte" E. Austin Keith, Tenor & Baritone, Orchestra.  B Side: "Close To Thee", F J Crosby, S.J. Vail, Tenor and Baritone

A Side: "Babes In The Woods - Very Good Eddie" Gladys Rice & Walter Van Brunt, Soprano & Tenor.  B Side: "Here Comes Tootsi Around The Map" Gladys Rice

Condition: We do not know if these would be playable.  There are some marks and dirt.  Would need to be cleaned.  These were stored in a barn for decades.  Being sold AS IS.  Will leave cleaning to the buyer.

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