'The new born king'--'Mr Marshall' (Columbia 415, 1901)

At present, this 7 inch record is the oldest Christmas record I own. I have no information as to the composer or composers of this song, nor any information about the singer beyond 'Mr Marshall'. Piano accompaniment; whoever it was had obviously been instructed to play as loud as possible no matter what!

This disc is take 1; according to the Columbia Master Book this title was later re-recorded by Harry Macdonough and released under this same catalogue number.

Given that Columbia began producing disc records in September 1901 (starting at number 1 with 'In the clock store' by Climax [later Columbia] Band) this recording could have been made as early as November 1901. (Exact dates do not exist for early Columbia recordings such as this.)

Transferred at 74 rpm.

Special thanks to the members of 78-L for assistance with information.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 78
• rpm
• mono
• shellac
• Columbia
• Christmas
• Berliner
• gramophone
• phonograph
• Victrola
• talking
• machine
• disc
• record

[MrXnews]

Wow. Great post. Amazing, listening to this early a disc. Too bad the grooves are worn out, but the sound is amazing!

[PerisphereRec]

Thanks!

[EdisonSquirrel]

How fascinating to hear this very early Christmas record!

[EmmetEarwax]

Columbia hit upon making their disks "unbreakable" by a felt middle layer, and high-quality, but brittle shellac outer layers. Since I don't know when they began doing this, I am careful with my old Columbia disks. (This felt layer can be seen in chipped edges).

A Benny Goodman jazz 78rp sustained a smash in a dumpster that would have destroyed a Victor, but was still playable. I still have the disk.