A Selection Of Early Brown Wax Cylinders

[maroongem]

Here are some early Edison and Columbia brown wax cylinders from 1896 to approx. 1900. All were recorded at 125 RPM on my HOME Mod. A and using a Mod B Reproducer with a witches' hat horn.

Enjoy!!!

Edison #161 rec. 1896-99 PEACE FOREVER MARCH by Edsion Grand Concert Band
www.box.net/shared/97pcgybk0g

Edison #5905 rec. 1898 MY OLD NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME by Jere Mahoney
www.box.net/shared/kymhadreo4

Edison #7219 rec. Sept-Oct 1899 PLEASE,MR CONDUCTOR,DON'T PUT ME OFF THE TRAIN by Byron Harlan
www.box.net/shared/nx9b9py4gw

Columbia Unk# ca.1900 UNCLE JOSH IN A DEPARTMENT STORE by Cal Stewart
www.box.net/shared/tsjveot4w8

Edison #4033 ca 1897-98 KATHERINE by George P. Watson
www.box.net/shared/kp9nxybcwo

Edison #4006 rec.1899 MEDLEY OF NEGRO SONGS by Billy Golden
www.box.net/shared/5ix1vy0gs4

[rocky]

Brown wax cylinders are absolutely fascinating! They truly allow us to experience a bygone era. It was interesting to compare Harlan's "Please Mr. Conductor...." with the 2-minute rendition that he recorded several years later. I heard the Uncle Josh cylinder many years ago and have always remembered the line about the banana peel!

You put a lot of work went into uploading these records, Bill. Thank you.

Rocky

[maroongem]

Thanks Rocky. I would have to say that these are my favorite type of cylinder as they are the earliest public offering of recorded sound and they are usually a mystery until you play them. Unless you are lucky enough to find them in their original box with accompanying record slip!
It's always a nice surprise when you find one out in the "wild" that isn't white with mold or shattered into bits.

Bill

[neophone]

Bill,

Great cylinders. Thanks. I especially liked Peace Forever March. That Please, Mr. Conductor.... was a real peppy number.

Seriously, loved 'em all. Like rocky says; those brown wax are an amazing window to the very start of the industry.

Regards,
J.

[lukewarmwater]

Great stuff, Bill! Thank you for preserving them! There is something so appealing visually about all the color shades of brown wax, too. Love 'em! When I worked at the BCMA museum, a man came in one time with 24 brown wax cylinders in a carrying box, all molded to death. I had to refuse the donation . . . broke my heart. Luke W.

[maroongem]

Thanx John.

Dude, you should have grabbed them and shaved those babies down!!!

Bill

[3victrolas]

Thanks you for taking the time to share these recordings!
Have you found any brown wax home recordings? I've heard that they can have almost anything recorded on them from someone singing to a list of presents they gave each other on Christmas Day.

[maroongem]

Thanks Sharon,

I have a few home recordings. Some are well done and others you can hardly hear. I'll dig some out and post them. A Christmas one would be really cool to hear!!!!

Bill