[78-L] Gennett recording files

[Harold Aherne]

It occurred to me a few years ago as I was reading Brian Rust's Guide to Discography that the only American companies for which we have much in the way of pre-1920 recording files are Victor, Columbia (from 1910) and Edison (cash books from 1904, along with [I think] ledgers for most disc masters). For most of the smaller labels that existed in this period, we have to rely on the records themselves, as well as catalogues, to determine what they recorded and issued.
I've read varying reports on how much of the Gennett ledgers are still around. It seems thatmost or all of the Richmond sessions are accounted for, but New York sessions are often given with a "c." in Rust's publications and similar works. Anyone know more details?
-HA