[78-L] Abrams File was Rigler-Deutsch index

[Thomas Stern]

Is there a version of the Abrams File online?

>From querying worldcat it appears that quite a few classical, and
other labels, not in 78discography, were included in Rigler-Deutsch and
ARE included in worldcat, though with many errors.  I find worldcat tedious
to use
 - I haven't found the way to limit search to record label....

My recollection of Rigler Deutsch is that it was intended as a "union
catalog"
of sound recordings in the collections of participating institutions - don't
remember
if private collector collections were included.

We certainly need a good online universal discography - everything from
tinfoil
to cd and whatever is next.  It would be nice to have images of labels,
album/jacket,
notes, etc. also included.

Steve, how much of your collection has been added to 78discography?

Best wishes, Thomas.





-----Original Message-----
From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
[mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com]On Behalf Of Steven C. Barr
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 12:03 AM
To: 78-L Mail List
Subject: Re: [78-L] Rigler-Deutsch index


----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas Stern" <sternth at attglobal.net>
> Is there a version of the Rigler-Deutsch index accessible online?
> I vaguely remember some discussion, and thought I had a link, but
> can not find it - perhaps walled-up in the previous computer.....
> Thanks!
>
Here I can only say "I hope not!!" The RDI was to a certain extent an
experiment which failed...the main problem was that the data entry was
done by folks who knew SFA about discography, working from PICTURES
of phonorecords. When one doesn't know titles from artists...?!

What we ACTUALLY need is for each 78 collector to use his/her/its
presumably vast (half-vast?!) shellac archive with the "Abrams Files"
(Ty's data might work equally well?!) making corrections wherever
they seem appropriate?!

In fact, I wonder a couple of things...

1) What part of the total set of "all issued 78rpm phonorecords" no
longer exist in ANY collections? Do these discs form identifiable/
definable sets or groups?!

2) Has anyone(s) ever tried to create an "ultimate" database covering
78rpm phonorecords?!

I estimate that about 3 million (3,000,000) different 78rpm phonorecords
were issued over the years...I may be right, or VERY wrong...?! The
"Abrams files" as text-format data files 160 bytes per data record...run
about 100MB (as I recall)...or 625,000 data records; however, there is
MUCH duplication in the full set of files! IF there were 3,000,000
different 78's, then I now own 1.867% of them (or thereabouts); keep
in mind that I DON'T collect classical records except by accident...?!

...stevenc
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