Entire Collection
Edison Phonograph Disc
Specifications
Edison Phonograph Disc
Category
Communication
Classification
CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Communication - Sound Communication T&E - Sound Communication Media - Record, Phonograph
Keyword
Object Origin
Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
1911 -1921
Physical Characteristics
Object Description: Flat circular black disc with a small hole in the center. Text is engraved on the center on both sides with a portrait of Edison in a shield shape next to a patent statement in a similar shield shape.
Marks: Front: "Andante Religioso / (Francis Thome. Op. 70 / Violin, Cello and Piano / Leo, Jan and Mischel / CHERNIAVSKY / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 6127-C-3-34" Back: "Barcarolle / The Tales Of Hoffmann / (Offenbach) / Violin, Cello and Piano / Leo, Jan and Mischel / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 6129-A-3-28" Patent statement: "This / patented Record is sold / by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. / Orange, N. J., subject / to restrictions printed / on container in / which it is put / out by this / Company"
Measurements: Object:
Depth: 0.25 in, Diameter: 9.625 in
Weight: 0.615 lbs
Credit
Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.113
Display Status
Not On View
Edison Phonograph Disc
About: Edison Phonograph Disc
About: Edison Phonograph Disc
This Diamond Disc is a record made by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. The disc features the music "Andante Religioso (Francis Thome. Op. 70)" and "Barcarolle". The two pieces were recorded by Leo, Jan and Mischel Cherniavsky, also known as The Cherniavsky Trio. The group was founded in Ukraine in 1901 and was composed of members of the Cherniavsky family which included Leo Cherniavsky (1890 – 1974) on violin, Jan Cherniavsky (1892 – 1989) on piano, and Mischel Cherniavsky (1893 – 1982) on cello. The trio toured and played all over the world until 1934.
Between 1912 and 1929, Diamond Disc were manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. to be used with the Edison Disc Phonograph, or record player. Diamond Discs have a thickness of ¼ inch, a diameter of 10 inches, and weigh close to 1 pound. The name Diamond Disc originated from its association with the Edison Disc Phonograph, which featured a permanent conical stylus made of diamond. The stylus, or needle, is responsible for making contact with the disc and transmitting the vibrations produced by the record’s grooves. The diamond stylus made the phonograph unique, while other phonographs used steel styluses which required regular replacement, the Edison Disc Phonograph used a durable and long-lasting diamond stylus. However, this unique feature made Diamond Discs incompatible with phonographs that used steel styluses because a steel stylus had the potential to damage the Diamond Discs while providing low sound quality. Diamond Discs experienced commercial success during the mid-1910s and into the early 1920s.
Additional information
Copyright information
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