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. The same numbers are stamped equally spaced into the rim four (4) times.
Marks: Front: "'Round Her Neck She / Wears A Yeller Ribbon / For Her Lover Who Is Far, Far Away / (Geo. A. Norton) / Tenor and chorus with orchestra / BYRON G. HARLAN / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 6030-C-4-93" Back: "The Further It Is From / Tipperay— / Odds and Ends of 1917 / (Dudley-Godfrey-Byrnes) / Tenor and chorus with orchestra / BILLY MURRAY / EDISON / TRADE MARK / Thomas A Edison / 5932-C-8-55" 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" Rim: "50472"
Measurements: Object:
Depth: 0.25 in, Diameter: 9.5 in
Weight: 0.487 lbs
Credit
Gift of Vince Granatelli, 2018.1.122
Display Status
Not On View
Edison Phonograph Disc
About: Edison Phonograph Disc
About: Edison Phonograph Disc
This disc, or Diamond Disc features the song "Round Her Neck She Wears A Yeller Ribbon For Her Lover Who Is Far, Far Away" written by George A. Norton (1880 – 1923) and performed by Byron G. Harlan (1861 – 1936). The back of the disc has the song "The Further It Is From Tipperay" from the Broadway show Odds and Ends of 191. The song was composed by Bide Dudley, John Godfrey, and James Byrnes, recorded by Billy Murray (1877 – 1954). Murray was a popular singer in America during the twentieth century and was best known for his work in the recording studio, making records for almost every record label of the era.
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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