[78-L] Matrix numbers [Victor, anyway]

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Zwarg" <doctordisc at truesoundtransfers.de>
>>Sides obtained from the various "overseas" HMV branches DO show their
>>matrix number...which was on the European stampers sent to (RCA) Victor!
>>In the "wax," though...not on the label. And, AFAIK, they were NOT given
>>US matrix numbers as controls!
> After ca. 1928, Victor matrices as control nrs. do appear at least in the 
> ledgers for imported recordings. They rarely bothered to remove the 
> original HMV matrix nr. however, and as the Victor "equivalent" doesn't 
> show in the matrix anyway, no much difference from the 
> customer's/collector's viewpoint. HMV recordings on Victor *without* the 
> HMV mx. showing are usually US-made dubs; if acoustic, they will show the 
> typical S/8 mark denoting a Victor dub.
>
>>However, SOME (not ALL) Red Seals DO show their matrix numbers on the
>>labels...in parentheses under the catalog numbers. I've never figured out
>>how/
>>why this practice took place...!
>
> Nothing to do with Red Seal AFAIK, but a short-lived practice for all 
> current series sometime around 1928 (which was of course the time when 
> large parts of RS repertoire were remade electrically, so it might be most 
> commonly seen on this type of record).
>
No! This was a Red-Seal-specific practice...the matrix numbers appeared in 
parentheses
below the catalog number on SOME...but not ALL record labels, after the 
short-lived
practice of displaying matrix numbers ended in late 1928!

I have never closely examined my Victor RS's (which I don't specifically 
collect!) to
see if this was done by one specific pressing plant...?!

...stevenc