[78-L] 78 database

[David London]

Yes, I guess there must be some that are lost forever.  Particularly when
you consider regional variations. Stuff reissued on different labels in
obscure countries etc.   Then of course, those countries would have had
their own local talent recording on small local labels.

Thanks for the advice on the Abrams files/fields.  Yes, that's going to be
my starting point. Field lengths need to be expanded as I see some
truncations in there already in the copy of the files that I have. Extra
fields to track other things like reissues and regional variations and data
sources will also be required.

My ambition, at this point, is to assemble a useable database for my own
purposes, but I will keep in mind the possibility to share data with
others.  This is why I want to keep it all in a decent database, so the data
can be managed properly, allowing for expansion, and integration of new data
as it comes to hand.

One possible source of this extra data, that I see, is to collect listings
from people selling 78s.  I have already found some catalogs that will
expand on what is in the Abrams files.  Of course, there is the stuff from
my own modest collection that I will add.

If nothing else, it is an interesting exercise to keep me occupied :)



On Sun, Jul 4, 2010 at 1:26 PM, Steven C. Barr <stevenc at interlinks.net>wrote:

> From: "David London" <jusmee123 at gmail.com>
> > I am willing to contribute too.  What data is needed about each 78?
>  Maybe
> > a
> > set of standard data fields should be agreed upon?
> >
> The "Abrams Files" are a text-based database file, which uses 160-byte,
> eight
> field data records. These are (IIRC) (1) ARTIST (30), TITLE (50)...five
> 10-byte
> fields, and a final 30-byte "miscellaneous" field. While these are probably
> inadequate, they at least provide a reasonably good listing of issued 78's!
>
> The "Abrams Files" provide data on about 500,000 78's (or, by my best
> estimate, around 1/6 of issued 78's...?!). Since they are the only 78
> database, their format would be (IMO) the best data format for 78's...?!
>
> It SHOULD be, at least in theory, possible to assemble a database with
> data records for each and every phonorecord issued between 1889
> and 1960...?!
>
> I wonder, in fact, how many/what percentage of issued 78rpm
> phonorecords are currently owned by 78L listeners...?! Keep in
> mind that there were MANY firms who lasted a few (or one?)
> month(s)...!
>
> Steven C. Barr
>
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