George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library, MS2FL 4400 University Dr. Fairfax, Virginia 22030 Business Number: 703-993-2220 Fax Number: 703-993-8911 speccoll@gmu.edu URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu
Kristen Korfitzen
Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0141
Title
Japanese phonograph record collection circa 1927-1932
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
Language
English
.
Abstract
The Japanese Phonograph Record collection contains 15, 78 rpm phonograph records mostly in sleeves with Japanese wirting.
The records were either printed in the United States or Japan for the Japanese music market, and released by Columbia, Ploydor,
Victor, Orient Records and Regal.
The records in this collection are early examples of "electrical" recordings. Prior to 1925 recordings were made acoustically
with singers and musicians playing into a horn. Electrical recording introduced the microphone which could pick up a larger
range of sound and tone. Record companies developed specific names for this new recording process. The Victor Talking Machine
company dubbed the new electric records as Othrophonic Records; Columbia produced "viva-tonal" records. The records in this
collection are labeled as such.
A product of Nipponophone, Orient was acquired by Columbia in 1925
The Japanese Phonograph Record collection contains 15, 78 rpm phonograph records produced for Japan. The collection also includes
original record sleeves and printed material packaged with the record. The records in this collection were released by: Columbia,
Regal, Victor, Ploydor and Orient Records. The records could have been released by the American division of these labels for
export, or by there Japanese branches. The design of the labels present on the discs indicated that these records were released
in the late 1920s through early 1930s. The records have been recorded with the new "electric" recording process, which was
introduced to the music industry in 1925.
The song title and artist name are printed in Japanese with only the record company name printed in English. As of now the
records remain unidentified.
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