Phonograph Record [Edison Blue Amberol]
Maker and role
Thomas A. Edison Incorporated, Manufacturer
Production date
1914
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Object detail
Accession number
2011.371
Production period
Description
Edison Blue Amberol Phonograph Record.
Part 1: Blue and gold cylindrical cardboard tube lined. On the outside of the tube, “Form 478. DEC. 1913. / TRADEMARK / Thomas A Edison / EDISON / BLUE AMBEROL / RECORD” is printed along with an image of Thomas Edison. On the base of the tube, “SEELEY TUBE AND BOX CO. / [illegible] / U.S.A” is embossed.
Part 2: Blue cardboard lid for phonograph cylinder tube. On the top of the lid “2336 / In the Heart of the / City that Has No Heart / (Joseph M. Daly) / Tenor [?] Contralto / Irving Gillette and Ada Jones / EDISON BLUE AMBEROL RECORD / […]” is printed.
Part 3: Blue wax phonograph cylinder which is open at both ends and hollow through the centre. “IN THE HEART OF THE CITY THAT HAS NO HEART . GILLETTE Thomas A Edison.. 242336” is engraved and painted white on the top rim.
Part 1: Blue and gold cylindrical cardboard tube lined. On the outside of the tube, “Form 478. DEC. 1913. / TRADEMARK / Thomas A Edison / EDISON / BLUE AMBEROL / RECORD” is printed along with an image of Thomas Edison. On the base of the tube, “SEELEY TUBE AND BOX CO. / [illegible] / U.S.A” is embossed.
Part 2: Blue cardboard lid for phonograph cylinder tube. On the top of the lid “2336 / In the Heart of the / City that Has No Heart / (Joseph M. Daly) / Tenor [?] Contralto / Irving Gillette and Ada Jones / EDISON BLUE AMBEROL RECORD / […]” is printed.
Part 3: Blue wax phonograph cylinder which is open at both ends and hollow through the centre. “IN THE HEART OF THE CITY THAT HAS NO HEART . GILLETTE Thomas A Edison.. 242336” is engraved and painted white on the top rim.
Brief History
Edison Blue Amberol cylinders were introduced to the market in 1912, and offered phonograph listeners a 4-minute playing time and a durable product. Made from celluloid, a hard yet malleable substance that was patented in 1869. The Edison Blue Amberols replaced the earlier wax cylinders which were fragile and prone to cracking.
This cylinder contains a recording of ‘In the Heart of the City That Has No Heart’ and was released in 1914.
This cylinder contains a recording of ‘In the Heart of the City That Has No Heart’ and was released in 1914.
Marks
Form 478. DEC. 1913. / TRADEMARK / Thomas A Edison / EDISON / BLUE AMBEROL / RECORD Printed
SEELEY TUBE AND BOX CO. / [illegible] / U.S.A Hand-written
2336 / In the Heart of the / City that Has No Heart / (Joseph M. Daly) / Tenor [?] Contralto / Irving Gillette and Ada Jones / EDISON BLUE AMBEROL RECORD / […] Printed
IN THE HEART OF THE CITY THAT HAS NO HEART . GILLETTE Thomas A Edison.. 242336 Engraved
SEELEY TUBE AND BOX CO. / [illegible] / U.S.A Hand-written
2336 / In the Heart of the / City that Has No Heart / (Joseph M. Daly) / Tenor [?] Contralto / Irving Gillette and Ada Jones / EDISON BLUE AMBEROL RECORD / […] Printed
IN THE HEART OF THE CITY THAT HAS NO HEART . GILLETTE Thomas A Edison.. 242336 Engraved
Credit Line
Thomas A. Edison Incorporated. 1914. Phonograph Record [Edison Blue Amberol], 2011.371. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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