Music recorded in February 1920
February 1920 was a month in which the restructuring of the international order after World War I and the rise of a new popular culture progressed simultaneously. On February 2, the Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia signed the Tartu Peace Treaty, establishing Estonia's independence and defining its eastern border. On the 10th, the Schleswig plebiscites saw a majority vote in the northern part of the country in favor of remaining part of Denmark, moving forward the resolution of the border issue. On the 13th, the Negro National League was founded, marking a new phase in the organization of professional baseball for Black people. Also in February, the League of Women Voters was officially established in Chicago, transforming the women's suffrage movement into a permanent civil society organization. On the 26th, "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" premiered in Berlin and was seen as a work symbolizing the experimental nature of post-war European culture. On the 28th, the Transportation Act of 1920 was passed in the United States, leading to the reorganization of the railway system, which had been under wartime control.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the recording from February 1920
While there are few articles directly indicating the recording date in recording-related documents from February 1920, several corporate activities related to sales and distribution can be confirmed, such as monthly releases of new records, in-store demonstrations, inventory promotions, exchange sales, and advertising of all-record playback mechanisms. The activities in this month indicate that each company was linking the release of new records with the sale of machines, and strengthening in-store comparative listening and promotion of functional differences. Below, we list only the companies and brands whose activities could be confirmed in the February 1920 documents.
Victor
An advertisement dated February 1st from the Victor Talking Machine Company stated that the "new Victor releases for February" were already on sale, and another advertisement dated February 14th continued to promote the same new releases. This confirms that as of February 1920, the company was promoting monthly new releases while integrating in-store listening and immediate sales.
- https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=RIV19200201.1.4
- https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=ESH19200214.1.3
Columbia
In advertisements dated February 24th and 27th, Columbia Graphophone Company clearly stated that "new Columbia records" would be released on the 10th and 20th of each month. This confirms that, as of February 1920, the company was clearly operating a consistent sales cycle based on the premise of releasing new records twice a month.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=LCT19200224.1.9
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=LCT19200227.1.9
New Edison
Thomas A. Edison, Inc.'s New Edison was advertised on February 3rd as "The Phonograph with a Soul," and an advertisement on February 26th further emphasized the connection between recreation and record sales. It can be confirmed that in February 1920, in-store sales involving comparative listening and immediate sale of record stock continued.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=IPT19200203.1.4
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=IPT19200226.1.4
Brunswick
In advertisements dated February 3rd and 6th, the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company repeatedly emphasized the Ultona as a mechanism capable of "playing all records." This confirms that in the February 1920 sales competition, the company focused not merely on sound quality, but on the functionality of being compatible with other labels' records as its primary differentiating factor.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=EVRP19200203.2.24.1
- https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=LR19200206.2.40.1
putty
In an advertisement dated February 5th, Pathé Frères Phonograph Company highlighted the "durability" and "typically 4–6 weeks ahead" release of Pathé records as key selling points. This confirms that as early as February 1920, the company was emphasizing durability and the early release of popular songs to promote its record division.
- https://www.virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=ALJ19200205.1.4
- https://books.google.com/books/about/Path%C3%A9_Catalog_Double_Disc_Records.html?id=4eDVzwEACAAJ
Sonora
An advertisement dated February 1st announced the arrival of "new Sonora phonographs," emphasizing the sound quality adjustment mechanism and compatibility with other record labels. Furthermore, an industry article dated February 22nd reported that Southern Sonora Company had strong sales in January, confirming that by February, Sonora had expanded its sales channels not only in direct sales but also in wholesale.
- https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053729/1920-02-01/ed-1/seq-30/ocr/
- https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053729/1920-02-22/ed-1/seq-136/
Emerson
Emerson Records' February 1st advertisement specifically listed new release numbers and song titles, urging customers to "Come In and Hear These New Emerson Records" and to visit the store for listening. This confirms that by early February 1920, they had a system in place to announce new releases by number and sell them with the expectation that customers would listen to them in-store.
- https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053729/1920-02-01/ed-1/seq-30/ocr/
- https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053729/1920-02-22/ed-1/seq-136/
Vocalion
An advertisement for The Aeolian Company's Vocalion records on February 25th offered a deal allowing customers to choose $12 worth of "new Vocalion records" at their discretion, and another advertisement on February 29th also featured Vocalion records alongside those of other companies. This confirms that as of February 1920, the brand was being treated as an independent product line, both in store inventory and for promotional purposes.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=RPD19200225.1.4
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=SBNT19200229.1.5
