[78-L] Only In Canada--WAS: How Victor Dealers promoted the first Electrically Recorded records in 1925

[Steven C. Barr]

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From: <bruce78rpm at comcast.net>
> I just purchased this Generic type Victor Album at the local Salvation 
> Army. I have never seen one of these before and it is quite interesting, 
> and gives some insight into how the Victor Dealers promoted and sold the 
> New Electrically Recorded (Bat Wing) label records, prior to Victor Day in 
> November.
>
> On the outside, pasted onto the front of the Generic (4 record Album) is 
> the following Title "VICTOR Presents The Sound of the New Recording !!
> Victor Talking Machine Company, Camden, N.J.
> On the inside of the front cover of the album is pasted the "Inner Liner 
> for Front Cover Form" PA 4-8-2VE-INR", Which States as Follows
> "Have you heard Victor's "New Recording" yet? If you have not, then now is 
> your chance. This album contains four of the latest hit releases by five 
> leading Victor Black Label Artists.
> It Has been said, of late, That the phonograph was through, that radio 
> offered its listener so much truer sound than did the phonograph. Well, 
> that is certainly no longer the case. Herein is the proof. Listen to these 
> records, and, we sincerely believe, you will agree with us that the Victor 
> wins again. Not only have we found a process that beats the quality of 
> reproduction of the finest radio sets, but have done so without any 
> increase in price to the consumer.
> What radio se can offer you the convenience of the Victor? With the Victor 
> you can have the music you want when you want it. You are not subjected to 
> the whims of the producers of radio programs. YOU are your own producer! 
> You make up your own programs. This, of course is nothing new. Victor 
> owners have always been able to do this. Now you can do it with recordings 
> that surpass the quality of sound to be heard from any radio.
> Watch for more recordings using this "New Recording" process of Victor. We 
> Feel sure that you will continue to be amazed and greatly pleased by the 
> quality of reproduction. You may rest assured that the same high standards 
> of artistry that you have always associated with the VICTOR will continue 
> to prevail. it is our intention, in fact, to make available, as soon as 
> possible, many of your old favorites re-recorded with our new Technique. 
> Watch for them soon at your favorite Victor Dealer. "
>
> P-10 (Demonstration Side 5) Copyright 1925, Victor Talking Machine Co. 
> Camden, New Jersey, U.S.A.
>
> The album contains such artists as Warings Pennsylvanians (19636) Rudy 
> Wiedoft (19771)Edwin J. McEnelly (19841), George Olsen & Jack Shikret 
> (19868). Again I am assuming these are all pre-Victor Day recordings, 
> before the term orthophonic and the new Orthophonic Victrolas were 
> announced and introduced.
>
Interestingly enough, this was NOT the case up here in Canada! The Compo 
Company
had already introduced electric recording around Jan/Feb. 1925; as a result 
Canadian
(HMV)Victor records started advertising "VE Process" electric records as 
soon as they
first appeared! This resulted in a Victor(C) "demonstration" record which 
paired an
acoustic side by Jack Shilkret with the same song, supposedly also by JS, 
recorded
electrically...! I managed to acquire a copy of this record a number of 
years ago...!

Steven C. Barr