[78-L] 1923 Columbia Demonstration Record Sleeve

[Inigo Cubillo]

Yes. The new process was merely a clever trick for improving the shellac
record quality without increasing noticeably it's cost. The shellac record
formula was divided in two different mixtures; one, coarser, for the record
core, and another much more finely grinded, and with more shellac content,
to be used on the outer surfaces. Both mixtures were pressed one over the
other in layers, separated by intermediate cellulose tissue layers. The
result was the laminated shellac record, with coarser core and finer record
surfaces. The resulting records were somewhat quieter.
The fabrication process was more complex, but it must not have been a
drawback, for American Columbia used it until... 1945?, as did other
Columbia European branches (France, Italy, Germany, Turkey...). In the UK
this process was abandoned.
In Spain it was used by Columbia, Odeon and Parlophon, until 1933. Then the
EMI amalgamation took effect in Spain and the laminated records
disappeared, as in England. Gramophone of Barcelona took over Odeon and
Regal and killed Parlophon, producing only standard shellac records since
then. The new process in Spain ended, and all points to a British Columbia
owned patent. Our independent Columbia was forced to stop operation. The
Spanish Columbia agents then used their american agreement side (by then
the American Columbia, amalgamated into ARC, was again independent from the
British branch, amalgamated into EMI) to continue operating under a new
society, also named Columbia, but completely independent from European EMI
branches, and completely a Spanish venture. They never produced again the
laminated records.

Saludos,

Iñigo