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

[Bob Rice]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steven C. Barr" <stevenc at interlinks.net>
To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 9:50 PM
Subject: Re: [78-L] Matrix numbers [Victor, anyway]


> ----- 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
>
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