A History of the Edison label
by Joe Moore
this page first published by John Wright, 6 May 1999
last update 18 Oct 2006
vintage@jabw.demon.co.uk
Introduction
Edison Diamond Discs are perhaps the most readily identifiable of 78 labels, not least because they are very different from all others! Being twice the thickness of other 78s, and what are known as Vertical-Cut or, more commonly Hill and Dale recordings, they can only be played on either an original Edison machine or modern equipment which has been adapted to reproduce them.
Edison first issued Discs in 1913, and continued to put out new issues right up to the time the Phonograph Division of the Edison empire closed down in October 1929. It has often been asked why Edison stuck with a recording system long abandoned by nearly everyone else.The two main reasons for this were:-
1) He always believed that Vertical-Cut recording was superior to the Lateral process used by other companies.
2) In any event, by the time he came to start the manufacture of discs, all the various processes by which Lateral recordings were produced were protected by Patents - which were fiercely defended against infringement and any unauthorised use.
Edison discs were always marketed as a quality product, which was unfortunate in the case of popular music. The average record-buyer in the Twenties was happy to pay half the asking price of a Diamond Disc to hear the latest songs and dance tunes on other labels - and he didn’t need a special machine to play them. By 1927 the Edison Phonograph Division was clearly losing money, and for a time only two masters of each recording were processed, with pressing runs being reduced. Edison’s reluctance to convert to electric recording didn’t help matters; contrary to popular opinion his was the last company to change. With the advent of electric recording came also the first experimental Lateral-Cut recordings by the company. It was to be well into 1929 before these discs finally came onto the market, too late to save the company from closure.
Label types
The earliest discs have embossed labels, which can be difficult to read unless held at an angle to a source of light. (They are also difficult to photograph or scan, though a sprinkling of talcum powder can help!). This scan of an early Edison is from Rick A. Jorgensen, who has built a website featuring 78rpm record labels,
Labelart Web Site.
From about 1922 paper labels were used, with black lettering on a white background. Whilst quite readable these labels have their own problems-it is not unknown for them to become detached, probably due to the poor adhesive used. It is by no means unusual to see discs with a label on one side only - or no labels at all!
Playing requirements
As stated earlier you need either an Edison machine (nowadays an expensive purchase) or an electrical set-up adapted to play vertically-cut recordings. The simplest way to do this is to wire the cartridge in the headshell on your pick-up arm to cut out lateral modulations.This sounds very technical, but simply means wiring the leads on to the cartridge in a different order from normal. So far as I am aware, this can still be done for a reasonable cost by such as Expert Stylus Company, whose address is listed elsewhere on this Web-Site, see 78rpm Equipment. Expert can also provide the correct radius of styli (0.0037 inch) for Edison Diamond Discs. I have found, however, that some of these discs will play better with a narrower radius,even down to 0.001 inch. As is often the case with lateral-cut 78s, a process of careful trial-and-error will produce the best results. Ideally, playing weight should be between 3 and 6 grams for vertical-cut discs.
What of the Music?
Edison’s catalogue of recordings has often been derided as being boring and hackneyed even in its time. This is true to some extent, but there is still much of interest, provided you are not expecting treasures in Race recordings or the vertical equivalent of King Oliver Gennetts. Out-and-out Jazz items are admittedly few, but collectors of 'hot dance' recordings will find more than a few items to enjoy.
There is a brief listing of some Edison items of interest, with approximate values today, see Edison Values. Do bear in mind that prices quoted are for guidance only; a record in an Auction List may fetch more or less than these. With regard to bidding on Diamond Discs, the age-old rule applies:- 'Bid no more than you can afford, and bid what the record is worth to you.' I realise these may be seen as conflicting statements, and there will be occasions when a record goes for a much higher (or lower!) price than expected, but I have found over the years this rule does work. When bidding for Diamond Discs, it is as well (if possible) not to bid on any advertised as less than E condition. These discs are not the easiest to grade accurately, and those less than E can sometimes have scratches, etc which seem more noticeable than on a lateral recording.
Rarity
As a very general rule, Diamond Discs up to about 1925 are not over-rare. From this point onwards, sales were starting to fall off, and from Catalogue No.52200 onwards the more interesting items become progressively harder to find, with the last of them (from 52600 on) being almost impossible to locate.
As might be expected, the Jazz items are not overly common, and such as Charley Skeete’s Orchestra, Red and Miffs Stompers, and the sides by Rosa Henderson, Josie Miles and Viola McCoy are very rare indeed.
The Edison Lateral issues are very difficult to find these days; they were only on sale for about three months prior to the closure of the Phonograph Division. Vertical and Lateral issues were both available right up to October 1929, although the last Vertical recordings were made the previous month.
Joe Moore, 2000
You can find out the current value of some sought-after Edison discs at Joe Moore's Edison values page.