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

Here's one of my favorite early Cal Stewart recordings. Recorded in 1897, this is "Uncle Josh At A Raines Law Hotel" by Cal Stewart. One of the more elusive of Stewart's early recordings this cylinder features a humorous look at the "Raines Law Hotels" that were cropping up all over the place in New Yok State due to the Raines Law that passed in 1896 to curb alcohol consumption. Being a native of New York State I always enjoy the part in the story where Uncle Josh is asked what he would like to drink and he replies with "...if you got any good upstate (New York) Apple Cider..." which sure seems like a good choice some 113 years later especially this time of year! Thanks for stopping in and I hope you enjoy the video.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1897
• Cal
• Stewart
• Uncle
• Josh
• At
• Raines
• Law
• Hotel
• Edison
• Brown
• Wax
• Cylinder
• Phonograph
• Standard
• Victrola
• Gramophone
• Columbia
• Antique
• Record

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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

[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!

[WinterHaven]

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