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EVOLUTION OF THE VICTOR LABEL (1900-1905) / Page 1

Photos adapted from Kurt Nauck's
AMERICAN RECORD LABEL IMAGE ENCYLOPEDIA

Eldridge Johnson Gram-o-Phone discs, 1900-1901

(LEFT) The first Eldridge Johnson label, introduced on seven-inch discs in the spring of 1900. A-56 was recorded on June 7, 1900, and was remade on November 6.

(RIGHT) On March 1, 1901, the courts ordered Johnson not to use the word "Gram-o-phone" on on his products. The result was the Improved Record label, which dropped the Consolidated Talking Machine Company's name. This label also reflected Johnson's move from Philadelphia to Camden, although some reverse-side stickers from this period list both cities (the studio remained in Philadelphia for some time after the move). A-346 was recorded on October 5, 1900, and was remade on June 5, 1901.

 

First Victor record labels, 1901

(LEFT) Johnson first registered the Victor trademark on March 12, 1901, under his own name; the Victor Talking Machine Company had yet to be formed. This seven-inch version of A-639 was originally recorded on January 26, 1901, but was remade several times as the stampers wore out.

(RIGHT) The extremely rare Victor Ten Inch label marked the introduction of larger-diameter Victor discs. This label was in production for only a short time, probably in early-to-mid 1901, before being replaced by the Monarch label. #3008 was recorded on January 5, 1901.

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© 2001 by Mainspring Press. Label photos © 2000 by Kurt R. Nauck III. All rights reserved. No portion of this material may be reproduced without prior written consent of the copyright holder(s).