Music recorded in February 1898
In February 1898, amid growing tensions in Cuba, the United States Navy battleship USS Maine, anchored in Havana Harbor, exploded and sank, intensifying public opinion toward the Spanish-American War. In France, the Dreyfus affair led to the conviction of Émile Zola (1840–1902) for libel, further deepening political and public conflict. Japan concluded the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between Japan and the Argentine Republic in Washington, DC, and the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation between Japan and Siam in Bangkok, establishing a framework for trade and maritime relations. In the United States, a mob attacked a black postmaster and his family in South Carolina, bringing to light the reality of discrimination and violence.On the technology front, Scientific American reported on the trends in patent inventions in its February 1898 issue, indicating the ongoing race to improve machinery.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in February 1898
February 1898 is a month in which we can see, from articles in that month's trade magazines and newspaper advertisements, the establishment of sales floors in the talking machine market, topics about coin-slot machines, and exposure of brand names. While there are limited sources that can confirm a comprehensive list of new recordings for that month alone, there are clues that can help us trace the developments in the recording industry at the time from the perspectives of distribution and advertising.
Zonophone
The American Discography Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has shown that the name "American Zonophone" appears in an advertisement in the New York Evening Post dated February 24, 1898. The fact that the name is being used in advertising as early as February 1898 provides a first clue as to the brand's development at the time.
National Phonograph
The February 1898 issue of The Phonoscope carries industry news about sales networks, including an announcement that the National Phonograph Company would be setting up a sales outlet (showroom) in New York. This industry paper from that month provides insight into where and how companies were planning to sell their equipment and records, even before they began supplying recordings.
coin slot
The February 1898 issue of The Phonoscope deals with topics such as coin-slot cabinets and their operation, which suggests that the use of talking machines in entertainment and commercial spaces was recognized as an important market. This shows that demand for installed (commercial) machines was running parallel to that for home listening.
