"Departure" Historic 1900 Victor Talking Machine Recording George Broderick on IMPROVED RECORD label

From my early 7 inch disc record collection this recording represents the first recording released by Eldridge Johnson, founder of The Victor Talking Machine Company. Recorded in November 1900 and assigned catalog number A-1, this is recording pioneer, George Broderick, reciting Eugene Field's poem, "Departure" on the short lived "Improved Record" label. The poem is a lament featuring a father's sorrowful parting words to his beloved son as the son is awaiting to depart on a train. I've often wondered why Eldridge Johnseon selected this poem as his first recording to be released for sale to the public. Perhaps at the time it was a very popular poem and seemed the perfect choice to present to the customer. In any case, I hope that you enjoy the recording and thanks, as always, for stopping in.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1900
• Improved
• Record
• Departure
• Poem
• George
• Broderick
• A-1
• Victor
• Talking
• Machine
• Phonograph
• Victrola
• Edison
• Eugene
• Field

[eclecticdufus]

I have always wanted to hear A-1 and Broderick himself. Thanks! (Talk about laying a guilt trip on the kid!) I've got one "Improved record" but this one sounds very good. Do you have any other Brodericks? He was well known on the NY stage and on tour and sang and acted in lot of Gilbert & Sullivan in authorized productions.

[MusicBoxBoy]

@eclecticdufus Thanks for the nice comments! I believe I have one other Broderick record.

[transformingArt]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting this!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@transformingArt  Thanks for your comments! Good to hear from you and pleased that you enjoyed this.

[WinterHaven]

That is a well preserved record. I have a few I very rarely play; but record them and make MP3s out of them. This youtube video is one way of preserving these jems. Thanks a lot!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@WinterHaven Thanks for your nice comments, as always. Your method of preserving early recordings is a great idea.

[MusicProjectX]

I posted A-7 on my youtube channel. It's called 'Limberger cheese' and 'A Boy and his cheese'. I've heard it was the first they actually sold, even though it wasn't the first they actually made (A-1 through A-6). I'd appreciate it if you would visit and comment on it. This is a great upload, but the way. Thanks!

[eclecticdufus]

@MusicBoxBoy Love to hear it sometime. The one Improved I have is A-358 (Sousas Band Robin Hood) which turned out not to be the 1901 take Fagan and Moran said was published but the October 5, 1900 take 4.

[Turkeydoodlers]

Thank god for YouTube preserving these gems and great machines

[WinterHaven]

@MusicBoxBoy There are a few 78s I enjoy listening to OVER and OVER again, so I turned them to MP3s so the record can stay stored and--preserved--instead of high risk for dropping. They LOOK strong, but one drop they will shatter due to their age!