Music recorded in March 1891
March 1891 was a month of simultaneous movement in immigration, information flow, and the systems that support modern society. In the United States, the Immigration Act of 1891 was enacted, consolidating immigration inspections and enforcement at the federal level. Similarly, the International Copyright Act of 1891 was enacted, expanding the international framework of "rights" regarding the reproduction and distribution of books and other materials. On March 14, 11 Italian immigrants were murdered by a mob in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, highlighting tensions within immigrant communities. In Canada, the 1891 Canadian federal election was held, and trade protectionism and foreign relations became key issues, centered around John A. Macdonald (1815–1891) and Wilfrid Laurier (1841–1919). In England, the Great Blizzard of 1891 hit the south from March 9th to 13th, exposing the vulnerability of communications and logistics, including rail and maritime transport.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in March 1891
March 1891 is the month when we can see that early recording culture, which was based on wax cylinders, expanded in three directions: toys, blank manufacturing, and business operations. Specifically, publicly available primary and quasi-primary documents confirm that the business relationship between Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931) and Edison for small wax cylinders for toys ended in March 1891, that a U.S. patent for processing wax cylinder materials was granted on March 24, 1891, and that a letter dated March 31, 1891, related to the North American Phonograph Company and other parties remains.
Talking Doll
The document shows that in 1890, Edison's factory produced "talking dolls" equipped with small wax cylinders, which were distributed as "recorded media" for home entertainment, and that Edison's relationship with the Edison Phonograph Toy Manufacturing Co. (real name unknown) ended in March 1891. The toy market's need for large quantities of "short audio recordings" at a time when sound recording duplication technology was still in its infancy provides a concrete image of the demand side of the early sound recording business.
- https://www.loc.gov/collections/edison-company-motion-pictures-and-sound-recordings/articles-and-essays/history-of-edison-sound-recordings/history-of-the-cylinder-phonograph/
- https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/photosmultimedia/a-cultural-history-of-the-edison-talking-doll-record.htm
Phonogram blank processing patent
We can see that Edison was granted United States Patent No. 448,780, dated March 24, 1891, for the processing of "phonogram blanks." The "blanks" in this context refer to the material on the recording cylinder, not the recording itself. However, as the recording industry expanded, the efficiency of supply and processing became increasingly important. The fact that this type of patent was granted in March 1891 provides a dated indication of the technological interest in mass-producing and standardizing recording media.
North American Phonograph and Regional Companies
A letter dated March 31, 1891, from Andrew L. Taylor (date of birth and death unknown) to Edison has been compiled and made public. Its metadata confirms references to the North American Phonograph Company and the Metropolitan Phonograph Company, and mentions cylinder phonographs and investments as subjects. This March 1891 document, at least in terms of the date and the parties involved, confirms that the recording business operated at the nexus of "machinery," "media," "rights," and "funds."
- https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9143AAN
- https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-plan/tools-and-resources/historical-background/north-american-phonograph-company/
