[78-L] Standard Program Library

[Michael Biel]

Well, back then PMS did not have the same meaning it has now.  Here it 
means Pacific Coast, 16-inch, S or SHQ recording system.  The matrix 
numbers fold into the late-30s RCA Victor series except that there 
probably were blocks assigned and set aside for these, so they might not 
fit in precisely with commercial recordings.  There's a Tommy Dorsey NYC 
session on May 6, 1937 where the numbers jump from 07899 to 010129.  One 
group of your numbers fit in that jump which might be set-asides.  His 
Jan 27, 1938 session ends at 018424 and his Feb 3, 1938 session begins 
at 019617.  Your other numbers fit in there.  Naturally this is only a 
start.  I just picked a performer that recorded for Victor in that era 
and found things that fit. 

There is another important recording around that May 7, 1937 date -- the 
Hindenburg Disaster.  The three 16-inch dubbings of the four origianl 
lacquers were made in Chicago on Sat May 8 on MS 08107 thru 9.  A set of 
six 12-inch 78 dubbing made in Chicago on June 7 from the original 
Chicago dub were on CS 08165 thru 70  Both sets of numbers right in the 
block in  the Dorsey May 6 session.  But a set of two 12-inch 78 
dubbings made in New York on May 21 with excerpts  from the original 
Chicago dubbing were on CS 07695 and 95 which is before the block, and 
before the Dorsey session numbers.  I believe there is some guide to the 
set-aside blocks for some of the time periods, and the Victor Project 
might eventually get to them. 

Mike Biel mbiel at mbiel.com

bill freytag wrote:
> Class,
>  
> Recently I've obtained two dozen +/- Standard Transcriptions that date from the late 1930s (c.a. 1938) I'm hopeful that one or more of you know the matrix "code" for these discs that might help me determine, with more exactitude, exactly when they were done.
>  
> For example:
>  
> PMS 019230 / PMS 019314 (This side is Harry Bluestone and George Smith.)
>  
> PMS 019233 (Harry Bluestone and George Smith) / PMS 019255
>  
> PMS 09642 / PMS 09643
>  
> PMS 09421 / PMS 09422
>  
> The first two examples have "Standard Program Library" in script  while the other two are in bold block letters.
>  
> Any information will be most welcomed. If you prefer to contact me off line that is quite acceptable.
>  
> Best Regards,  Bill
>
>