Music recorded in February 1919
February 1919 was a month in which the formation of the post-World War I order became concrete in various parts of the country. On February 6, the German National Assembly opened in Weimar, and on the 11th, Friedrich Ebert (1871–1925) was elected president. On the 14th, the draft of the League of Nations Covenant was reported at the Paris Peace Conference, and on the 19th, Marie Juchacz (1879–1956) became the first woman to speak in the German Parliament. On the other hand, on the 21st, Kurt Eisner (1867–1919) was assassinated, and the instability in post-revolutionary Germany continued. In the United States, the Seattle General Strike took place from February 6th to 11th, and on the 26th, the Grand Canyon National Park was established, resulting in events that will be remembered for generations to come in terms of both social activism and nature conservation.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the recording from February 1919
Recording-related documents from February 1919 often focus on the sales activities of various companies, demonstrations at local retailers, installment sales, and advertisements emphasizing the mechanical features of the machines, rather than lists of new releases themselves. The primary sources that can be reliably traced for the month's activities are those of Victor Talking Machine Co., Columbia Graphophone Co., Thomas A. Edison, Inc., Pathé Frères Phonograph Company, Sonora Phonograph Co., and The Aeolian Company's Vocalion. The activities that can be confirmed were more focused on developing distribution networks and in-store promotions than on the recording production itself.
Victor
In February 1919, local newspaper advertisements continued to promote Victor Talking Machine Co.'s new releases for the month, with retailers attracting customers through listening sessions. The fact that advertisements for the company's records continued from early to late February confirms that Victor Talking Machine Co. was conducting regular new release promotions through its local distribution network that month.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=SBNT19190208.1.5
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=SBNT19190222.1.5
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=DCDD19190228.1.5
Columbia
An advertisement from February 1919 promoted both Columbia Graphophone Co.'s regular stock of records and Columbia Grafoñora's installment payment plan. A local newspaper dated February 20th announced that a jewelry store had begun carrying Columbia Grafoñora and records, indicating that the company was expanding its presence in local stores that month.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19190206-01.1.3
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19190227-01.1.3
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=WLKI19190220.1.1
Edison
The February 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" reported that Thomas A. Edison, Inc. had prepared a 28-page booklet for its dealers. Local newspaper advertisements also prominently featured demonstrations and sales of the "New Edison," indicating that the company was simultaneously supporting dealers and selling high-end models that month.
- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Talking-Machine/10s/Talking-Machine-1919-02.pdf
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19190208-01.1.28
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19190212-01.1.8
putty
In an advertisement from February 1919, Pathé Frères Phonograph Company repeatedly emphasized that its records could be played on phonographs from other manufacturers and highlighted the durability provided by the sapphire ball. Sales promotions involving the provision of attachments were also observed, indicating that in that month, the company focused on the compatibility and convenience of the playback mechanism as well as the recording content itself.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19190226-01.1.8
- https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=CR19190212.2.62.1
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19190212-01.1.3
Sonora
In local newspapers in February 1919, a series of advertisements from dealers urging customers to audition Sonora Phonograph Co. machines before purchasing them can be found from mid-month to late-month. The documents show that the emphasis was more on the sound quality of the machines themselves than on new releases, indicating that the company was expanding its sales channels for high-end home audio equipment during that month.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=TSYLWWJ19190213.1.1
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=TSYLWWJ19190220.1.1
Vocalion
An advertisement from February 1919 promoted the Aeolian Company's Vocalion, highlighting its special record playback and Graduola expression adjustment mechanism. Since February advertisements from the United States and Australia have been confirmed, it is clear that the Vocalion was being marketed internationally with its unique features prominently featured.
- https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=suna19190202-01.1.3
- https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60538915
- https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15825241
