[78-L] World Program Service transcription info wanted

[Donna Halper]

On 7/12/2013 6:16 PM, Thomas Stern wrote:
> Does anyone have information regarding the SOURCE of recordings issued on the
> WORLD BROADCASTING SYSTEM - WORLD PROGRAM SERVICE discs???
>    

I don't know if this is helpful, but in March 1934, the company said 
their studios were in New York City (50 W. 57th Street).   But they were 
at a different New York address by September 1936:  one of their ads in 
mid-September mentioned new releases by Harriet Grey, and some music by 
Brahms and Beethoven recorded by Leo Erdody and the World Symphony 
Orchestra.  The ad noted that all recordings were made at "Transcription 
Headquarters, by the Western Electric method of Wide Range Vertical 
Recording..."  Another ad noted that this method was developed in 
cooperation with Bell Labs.  The 1936 ads said that Transcription 
Headquarters was also in New York, at 711 Fifth Avenue.  However, 
evidently the company had expanded: another ad said that in addition to 
New York City, World Broadcasting now had a recording studio at 400 W. 
Madison Street in Chicago, and another at 555 South Flower Street in Los 
Angeles. And in 1936, the company claimed 150 radio stations were using 
their recordings.  I do not see any mention of Ed McCurdy, although by 
1940, the ads were talking about Harry Horlick and other radio stars who 
were recording for World.