[78-L] re-issues

[Steven C. Barr]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Biel" <mbiel at mbiel.com>
> Steven C. Barr wrote:
>>> The market for 12" 78's peaked around 1916-18,
>>> and virtually evaporated in the depression years
> Then the tens of millions of 12-inch operatic, classical, and dramatic
> 78s that were sold after 1918, through the depression and the 40s into
> the 50s were vapor?  What's your source?
> 
I generally ignore classical 78's, since I don't collect them or listen to
them! However, it is relatively easy to do a quick survey on the
relative numbers of 12" NON-classical records issued, simply by
looking at vintage record catalogs. Victor, for example, issued
quite a few 12" 35xxx black-label 78's between 1915 and 1918;
thereafter those numbers decline. As well, Columbia issued and
promoted its A-5xxx/6xxx heavily during that period (in fact, I
have Columbia sleeves which list ONLY 12" popular-music
records.

Since I wasn't around in that era (in spite of assumptions, I
am only 66...born in late 1942!) I have to depend on catalogs
and discographic web sites in this research! However, in trying
to complete holdings of vintage dance bands, I ALWAYS run
across 12" items which are VERY rarely found these days...?!

>>> ...and the RCA "plug-in record players" were
>>> designed around 10" 78's!
> 
Here, I can't make a knowledgable comment! Suffice it to say
that the very few RCA "play records through your radio" tt's
which I have seen had 10" "players"...they might have been
able to play 12" records, but those would have had a 1" per
side over-lap! Our fictional "Joe Gabroni" would have looked
at the 10" platter and thought of 10" records...?!

When I find my catalog holdings (my belongings were dealt
with EXTREMELY rudely by my money-obsessed landlady...?!)
I will post more coherently in this debate!!

Steven C. Barr