[78-L] Oldtimers query (correction for Michael Shoshani)

[Kurt Nauck]

Due to some computer config issue, many of Steve Barr's posts are dated 
in the early 1980s.

But the earliest post I see on my system is this from 1/3/98. I would 
have had earlier ones, but at this point I was deleting anything that 
didn't interest me.

From: tgracyk at garlic.com (Tim Gracyk)
To: 78 RPM Records  <78-l at cornell.edu>
Subject: Victor's 1st electric disc to be distributed


I'm doing research on Victor's transition from acoustic to electric,
and I know that Brian Rust states in the VICTOR MASTER BOOK that
Victor 19626, with the Mask and Wig Club Double Male Quartet on
one side, the International Novelty Orchestra on the other, was "the
first Orthophonic recording to be issued by Victor."

Does anyone own a copy?  How rare is it?  How was it distributed?
TALKING MACHINE WORLD does not list it in the Advance Record
Bulletins; Victor supplements don't mention it; Victor catalogs
don't list it.  Seems it was distributed on a local basis only,
presumably in Philadelphia where the University of Pennsylvania is
(right? I'm not sure where it is, come to think of it).  Who composed
the "Joan of Arc" on the disc?  Written specially for
the Mask and Wig Club event for 1925?  Presumably it is not the "Joan of
Arc" song of 1918 or so.

Roland Gelatt says it was rushed to Phil. in April, but Gelatt doesn't
document how he knows this (typical for Gelatt), and I don't
automatically accept anything Gelatt says in his now-outdated book.

By the way, the International Novelty
Orc. is the same as Jack Shilkret's Orchestra at this time--same
musicians (including Lou Raderman, Jack Wasserman, Al Raderman, Harry 
Shilkret).
I guess when Nat directed, it was called the International, and when
Jack was in control, it was called Jack Shilkret's Orchestra.  But maybe
someone knows more about this than me.

At least one Victor record issued later than Victor 19626 features 
performances
recorded electrically BEFORE the March 16, 1925 session with
the Mask and Wig guys (who WERE these folks?).  I'm thinking of the
Eight Famous Victor Artists on that remarkable 12 inch disc featuring
"A Miniature Concert."  It should be reissued on CD...very interesting.

Comment, anyone?

Regards,

Tim Gracyk

Email: tgracyk at garlic.com
Homepage: http://www.garlic.com/~tgracyk

Kurt Nauck

*Nauck's Vintage Records*
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