Music recorded in June 1918
June 1918 was a month in which the course of World War I and the conception of the postwar order progressed simultaneously. On June 3, the French Republic officially declared its support for Polish independence, and on the 30th, it recognized the Czechoslovak National Council. On the Western Front, the Battle of Belleau Wood continued from June 1 to 26, and on the Italian Front, the Second Battle of the Piave took place from June 15 to 23. In Russia, following the uprising of the Czechoslovak Legion, the Committee of Members of the Constituent Assembly was formed in Samara, and the civil war escalated. On the 27th, the hospital ship HMHS Llandovery Castle was sunk, and in June, the introduction of wartime communism intensified in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the June 1918 recording.
In the recording industry in June 1918, recording production, exhibitions, and regional distribution continued in parallel despite wartime conditions. Directly verifiable sources for June indicate that Thomas A. Edison, Inc. continued recording, and Starr Piano Co. demonstrated its Starr phonograph and Gennett Records at the National Music Show in New York. Wholesale and retail advertisements from Indianapolis also show that New Edison, Victrola, and Columbia products were available in the distribution network throughout June. A comprehensive list of new releases across all companies for June cannot be definitively determined from primary sources at this time.
Edison
Thomas A. Edison, Inc. continued recording production throughout June. Confirmed examples include "The Most Beautiful Picture of All" by Manuel Romain (dates unknown) recorded on June 10th, and "Jazbo Jazz" and "Jazz de Luxe" by Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band (Earl Fuller's band) recorded in New York on June 4th and June 13th, respectively. Both recordings later contributed to Edison Records and Blue Amberol, indicating that the company's production department was still operational in June.
- https://adp-assets.library.ucsb.edu/edison_4m-cyls.pdf
- https://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/mainspringcylinders.php
star
At the National Music Show in early June, Starr Piano Co. prominently displayed its Starr phonographs and also demonstrated Gennett Records. Contemporary industry documents from June directly confirm that the company promoted both the phonographs and its own label at the event, indicating that it was strengthening both its recording and sales operations at this time.
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/magazines/mtr/MTR-1918-66-23/MTR-1918-66-23-41.pdf
- https://indianahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/john-k-john-kenneth-mackenzie-gennett-record-company-collection.pdf
Kiefer Stewart
Kiefer-Stewart Co. was listed in a newspaper advertisement dated June 15th as a wholesaler of "New Edison" phonographs and records, and also handled the distribution of Sonora products to Indiana. This confirms that as of June, the company was functioning as a distribution hub within the state, handling multiple brands.
D. Summers
D. Sommers & Co.'s newspaper on June 1st featured a Victrola display, and by the end of June, they were promoting portable Victrola equipment as products for summer outings and camping. It appears that in June, the store was focusing its sales promotion efforts not only on stationary home units but also on the demand for portable devices.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19180601-01.1.14
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19180628-01.1.7
Baldwin
The Baldwin Piano Co. continued to sell Columbia-made telephones and records in advertisements dated June 1st and June 15th. Throughout June, retail sales of Columbia Graphophone Company products were maintained in local department stores and music stores.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19180601-01.1.14
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19180615-01.1.3
