[78-L] Advent of Electrical Recording: English “Blackbirds”

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

Michael Biel: Does the (E) mean that this is this an ad for the British 
issue?  If so,
did they also issue this set in an album, and is there a picture of the
album in the ad?

Yes, the “E” stands for English Brunswick. No, there is no picture of 
the album in the ad. The Warner-Brunswick Ltd. ad is dated July 1933. 
The six American Brunswick recordings were issued in the U.K. on 
catalog numbers Br 01517 to 01522 at 2/6 each. If one wanted to 
purchase all the records and album them, “handsome albums, suitably 
titled, to house the six discs, are obtainable from all Brunswick 
Dealers. Price, 2/6.” The ad does not make clear that the six records 
are available in a special album but that an album (perhaps generic) is 
available if one wants to store the six records in one. The ad is 
headlined “Brunswick Present Blackbirds, the greatest coloured stars in 
the greatest coloured show” accompanied by cartoon blackbirds with 
Sambo-size lips. The faces look similar to those depicted on the cover 
of the Cootie Williams “Echoes of Harlem” Hit album (catalog numbers 
8087 to 8090). I have not seen the English Brunswick album but do have 
two of the records. Your project sounds fascinating, Mike!
Geoffrey Wheeler