[78-L] Original 1926 Columbia Test Pressing - Baby Doll

[Steven C. Barr]

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From: <bruce78rpm at comcast.net>
> Pursing Fiction, Please !! Not having ever owned a Test Pressing record, 
> and not having the knowledge of one that you experts have I turned to a 
> trusted friend and called him with information and he concluded based on 
> what I told him in describing the record that it was in fact an original 
> test pressing from 1926. Unfortunately I left out one key incrediant in 
> the analysis and that was the name of the Columbia Recording Company. 
> Having said that, again thanks to everyone who have come forward with 
> additional information so I can post an accurate description of this 
> record when it goes on Ebay this weekend. Not having the knowledge of 
> these Test Pressings and how they were handled by the record company, I 
> was told that Take 2, which this is, was the actually take released by 
> Columbia at this Recording session for mass distribution to the General 
> Public. Given that, why was it necessary to do another test pressing of 
> Take to in 1939 or thereafter ? Maybe to determine if the mas
> ter was still in suitable condition for mass distribution ? Just a guess, 
> maybe there is better answer, can anyone help on on this?
>
Very likely it was done to evaluate the master for possible reissue?
This could have been done for the 4-record album set of Bessie
(c.1937?) or for the Bessie Smith "Box set" of all her recordings
(not that long ago?)...?!

Steven C. Barr