Purchases From The Mechanical Music Extravaganza In Wayne, NJ In April 2015

Another spring, and another Mechanical Music Extravaganza.  This was my third MME that I attended.  It was held on April 19, 2015.  I thought that it was another fine convention.  Here are some photographs ...














This was my haul ...

I filled my car up again and, as you can see, I mainly stocked up on Diamond Discs with a small stack of 78s and a mere two cylinders (I added another pic to the top left):


This is a Kent 78 Adapter for Diamond Disc Phonographs (Diamond Disc machines are designed to only play 80 rpm Diamond Discs so this adapter will allow 78 rpm records to be played as well) along with a miniature Victrola-type machine:


I was happy to acquire a Morning Glory Horn (the pics compare it to the Witches Hat Horn that I bought last year ... that is quite a size difference):


I got these from Larry:


As many of you know, Larry is a regular at the convention.  I bought two of the same shirt - one for going out, and the other for the gym.  The mug was a gift ... thanks again, L!

I am already getting ready for the next MME that will take place on September 20 of this year.  Info: http://antique-sound.com

Tuxedo Dance Orchestra - My Isle Of Golden Dreams Edison Diamond Disc Record 1920

Tonight, I have for you the Tuxedo Dance Orchestra with "My Isle Of Golden Dreams".  The song was recorded on February 4, 1920, and the Diamond Disc record was pressed on the Edison label (Catalog number: 50649-L and Matrix number: 7145-C-4-11).  The grooves are very clean on this example.  The record is being played on an Edison Disc Phonograph Model C-150 that was manufactured some time between 1915 and 1919.

I am getting you ready for the Spring 2015 edition of the Mechanical Music Extravaganza that will take place tomorrow in Wayne, New Jersey.  I bought this very machine at the Autumn 2014 Mechanical Music Extravaganza last October.  This record is from a crate of records that the seller threw in with the machine.


The url for the video above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwAdeDX1bTs

Abraham Lincoln And George Washington Apotheosis CDV In Honor Of Lincoln's Sesquicentennial Passing

It is April 15, 2015, and today is the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's passing.  On the previous day, he was shot by John Wilkes Booth in Ford's Theater.  I have a relevant artifact for this particular sesquicentennial moment.  It is this very curious CDV image.

It is titled "Washington and Lincoln (Apotheosis.)".  Apotheosis is the state of elevation or deification.  In the image, you see the recently-deceased Lincoln being embraced by George Washington and you see the angels in the top left corner.  This was painted in 1865, and this CDV image is from the 1860s or, perhaps, 1870s.  A very curious and very bizarre item on this day ... the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's death.


The url for the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1atlZ6v7Fug

John Wilkes Booth Shot Abraham Lincoln On This Day 150 Years Ago

On this day, 150 years ago, John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln inside of Ford's Theater. The event took place on April 14, 1865. The postcard that you see here has a copyright date of 1908.



Here are two videos featuring two people who were in Ford's Theater while the shooting took place ...

Samuel J. Seymour:


Joseph H. Hazleton:

"Dixie" By The Edison Symphony Orchestra 1906/1907 Edison Cylinder Record

I recorded the video and typed the description for this blog entry on April 10, 2015.  I then went out and did not return home until April 11, 2015.  Here it is one day late ...

It is April 10, 2015, and this post pertains to the American Civil War Sesquicentennial.  On this day 150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln addressed an audience in front of the White House.  He informed the crowd of the previous day's surrender at Appomattox Court House and requested that the musicians in attendance perform "Dixie".  "Dixie" was a song written prior to the conflict and was popular throughout the United States Of America.  Tonight, I have for you a version of "Dixie" performed by the Edison Symphony Orchestra.  The record was pressed on the Edison label (Catalog number 9541) and was released in 1907.  It is possible that the song was recorded in 1906.  I am going to play the record on an Edison Standard Phonograph Model B.  This machine was made in 1905 and 1906.


The url for the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIqHRQFqjwM

The 150th Anniversary Of Robert E. Lee's Surrender At Appomattox Court House

It is April 9, 2015, and the American Civil War Sesquicentennial brings us to this point. On this day, in the year 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House. It was the first time that Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee were in mutual presence since the Mexican-American War of the 1840s. A House Divided came together once again 150 years ago today.


The url for the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRB_l4w5j5U

The book is A House Divided: The Lives Of Ulysses S. Grant And Robert E. Lee by Jules Archer.  Copyright 1995.

 

Specimens Of Confederate Currency 1860s Four States Represented

It is April 8, 2015, and the American Civil War Sesquicentennial continues.  Tomorrow will be the 150th Anniversary of Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.  Today, I have for you specimens of currency from the Confederate States Of America.  There are four states represented: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

Video:

The url for the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3AuPVZx2hM

Photographs ...

"Just Before The Battle, Mother" By Jim Doherty Edison Diamond Disc Record 1922

It is April 7, 2015, and the American Civil War Sesquicentennial continues.  As a matter of fact, we are two days removed from the 150th anniversary of Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.  Today, I have for you a recording of the George Frederick Root-penned "Just Before The Battle, Mother" ... a number quite popular during the War. The song was recorded by Jim Doherty in 1922, and the Diamond Disc record was pressed on the Edison label in 1923 (Catalog number: 51109-R and Matrix number: 8486-B-4-1).  I am going to play the record on an Edison Disc Phonograph Model C-150 that was manufactured some time between 1915 and 1919.



You will note the red star on the label.  The Edison company placed red stars on records that they believed were not going to be strong sellers so the vendors knew in advance and thus could not return the records when they remained unsold.



Now in honor of the Civil War's Sesquicentennial ... "Just Before The Battle, Mother":

The url for the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYE9PcUXXbQ

Additional information about the record can be found at these links:
http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/6633911
http://www.authentichistory.com/1860-1865/2-sounds/1-music/19220609_Just_Before_The_Battle_Mother-Jim_Doherty.html

The Charleston Courier March 19, 1836 Newspaper With Saint Patrick's Day And Slave Ads

Today, I have for you a newspaper from 1836.  It is the same publication that I spotlighted last month ... The Charleston Courier.  It is specifically from March 19, 1836.  I am a bit late with this one being that the 19th was over a week ago.  The issue features slave ads and much, much more including references to the Saint Patrick's Day celebration.  Here are some photographs ...

Tanning On March 12, 2015!!!!

It was a sunny day, and the temperature was at a substantial increase to 45 or 46 degrees so I decided to do a little bit of tanning.  I had my face and arms exposed to get some Vitamin D ... being a vegan, the sun is a key source of Vitamin D.