[78-L] 1912 Ad Offering Columbia 'Eclipse' with Free Double-Sided Demo Record

[Michael Biel]

If we follow what the special sleeve that the "Good Night Little Girl
Good Night" record came in, these two Columbia Double Disc records had
different NAMES inside the company.  The record with the regular sized
labels on both sides is the earlier one which is called "Demonstration
Record", and is even titled that on the label.  The later one with the
extra-large label on the rear side is the "Sample Record" even though
the word "demonstrates" is included in the script. Note that the script
starts by saying "The other side of this sample record . . .".

That special sleeve says: "This record is a sample (not our old
'demonstration Record.')  The only reason why the price is set at 25
cents is because we want you to know first hand about the superior and
guaranteed quality of Columbia double-disc records and that they will
play on your machine.  Disc records are interchangeable." It also says
"One side of this sample record is a tenor solo by Henry Burr --..." and
"The other side of this sample record carries a short message and a
little music which you will find entertaining and instructive."  There
is a printing code at the lower right which is Adv 315-4-15 .

I don't think this Sept 14, 1912 Sat Evening Post ad is claiming that
the demonstration record they are providing is a NEW item.  It could
have come out earlier.  Plus, it would be the free Demonstration Record,
which the book thinks came out in 1910. It would not be the later Sample
record which was SOLD, not given away. 

There is a possibility that the printing code is an April 1915 date. I
haven't done an analysis yet on Columbia sleeves, the issue dates of
records on the sleeves, nor the issue dates of the records listed on the
large label.  Nor have I gone thru all of the trade press to see if
these demo and sample records are mentioned.  As for why it might have
been out so far later than 1908 intro date of 2 sided records, this one
stresses the quality of the recording and of the durability of the disc,
barely mentioning that it is two sided.  They were especially eager to
sell this 25 cent record to owners of Victor machines AND the other
machines starting to come out.  It is the earlier one which stresses it
being a two sided record.

But I can say that Columbia announced the Double Disc record to dealers
on Sept 15, 1908, and that the same trade journal had EARLIER opined
that there were several British companies selling two-sided records, but
no American two sided records were available other than Fonotipia. 
Zonophone and Star possibly hit the market before Columbia, and
definitely before Victor which was still announcing new single-sided
popular releases in early 1909. The lateness of Victor entering the 2
sided market might be the reason for the Demonstration Record, and its
pushing of it being two sided.

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com


-------- Original Message --------
From: Rjholtin <rjh334578 at yahoo.com>
> Note The Notes by Sherman & Nauck pg 50 says the disc was issued in 1910 and
> the slipside, Columbia Qt of Kentucky Babe was recorded November 10, 1910 so
> in September of 1912 it was less than a year old.
> Same book pg 26 says first Double Disc appeared in "autumn of 1908" - hence the common confusion.
> Same book again says the other double disc demo appeared in 1913, I always
> assed it was older because the Henry Burr on the flip seems to have been made
> in 1906. Anybody know who the narrator is on this one? Albert Campbell is on the 1910 disc.


On Dec 9, 2012, at 9:41 AM, Glenn Longwell <glongwell at snet.net> wrote:
>> This is interesting as it's 4 years since they came out with a double sided record
>> and they were still offering this disc. I wonder if they had been offering it all
>> along or decided to unload some stock that had been sitting in the warehouse.  Glenn


From: Clifford Bolling <78records at cdbpdx.com>
>>> Here is an interesting ad from the Sep 14, 1912 'Saturday Evening Post'
>>> introducing the Columbia 'Eclipse'model turntable with a free demonstration
>>> record if purchased within thirty days from date of publication.
>>> http://pdx78s.cdbpdx.com/CETT/CETTAD.html       Enjoy! CDB