1897 "UNCLE JOSH AT A RAINES LAW HOTEL" Edison Brown Wax Cylinder Early CAL STEWART

[falvo244]

Is this a tube copy or pantographed cylinder, or is it an "original recording"? If it is an original, I'm not surprised that his laugh is a bit maniacal. I couldn't imagine having to stand there all day, laughing in front of the recording horn, to make the hundreds of copies of this record that would have been required!

I have a bunch of Uncle Josh records: mostly Gold moulded Edisons; Indestructibles; and Victor & Columbia 78's. But I'd never heard this one!

Thank's & have a great day!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@falvo244  I believe that this is an original recording. Thanks for the great comments!

[jjasonh]

I love apple cider :D

[edisonphonographs]

Your right the laugh is a little creepy. I always like to hear these uncle josh recordings.

Thanks

[stratocat9999]

I have to agree, his laugh is definitely more sinister sounding than in the later recordings. I used to have a couple of early Victor Cal Stewart records, but they were sold some years ago now. This is a wonderful early comic monologue! Most tend to be very offensive as far as racial attitudes of the time. I don't think I've heard heard an offensive Uncle Josh routine, ( not to say that there may not be one out there). Great sounding brown cylinder! Cheers!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@stratocat9999 Thanks for the nice and interesting comments!

[WinterHaven]

OMG this is just too incredible! It's VERY hard for me to believe I'm listening to something that was made and recorded over a hundred years ago!!! I BET THIS COST YOU A FORTUNE! Simply too incredible!! Imagine a piece of history frozen that can be heard over a hundred years later - now.

[WinterHaven]

@WinterHaven I betcha the guy was tipsy when he made that recording!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@WinterHaven  Actually, I don't believe Cal Stewart indulged in drinking alcohol with the possible exception of a social drink now and then. All of his recordings, as far as I know, were written by him and spoken in front of the recording horn as he held the handwritten paper in his hand. Thanks, as always, for your comments!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@WinterHaven Thanks for your comments! This was actually recorded about 113 years ago. This particular cylinder I purchased many years ago in a fairly large lot of sweet condition brown wax cylinders. Sadly, many of the early brown wax cylinders were incredibly susceptible to mold growth which destroys the grooves - permanently. I was greatly pleased to find that this group of cylinders had been carefully stored for all those years.

[CarGuyZM10]

Always great to hear from "Uncle Josh." Thanks for sharing!

[Westtoledoguy]

BW- Cal Stewart-Uncle Josh At A Raines Law Hotel-Edison-3884-1897 great recording

[MusicBoxBoy]

@Westtoledoguy Thanks for your research and for the nice comments, as always.

[Westtoledoguy]

@MusicBoxBoy you are very welcome

[SwingMan1937]

I used to have Cal's "Uncle Josh On A Coney Island Bus" on an early Victor (1905-1906), but this is certainly the earliest Cal I've ever heard.

[MusicBoxBoy]

@SwingMan1937 I believe this is my earliest example of an original Cal Stewart recording. Most of my Berliners of Cal Stewart (I believe I have only 4 of them) are from 1898 - 1899. I'm always on the lookout for his very early recordings.

[Turkeydoodlers]

I have some Cal Stewarts I never heard this one before

Thanks

[MusicBoxBoy]

@Turkeydoodlers You are very welcome. Glad to you liked this one.

[chompo7]

very cool,thanks!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@chompo7 Thanks for the nice comment!