Music recorded in April 1899
On April 11, 1899, the Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain came into effect with the exchange of instruments of ratification, finalizing the end of the Spanish-American War under international law. The Six-Day War of 1899 broke out in the New Territories of the British colony of Hong Kong from April 14 to 19, 1899, bringing a short-lived end to armed resistance against the annexation of the British colony. In Ireland, the first local elections under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 were held on April 6, 1899, and county councils were established around April 22, 1899. In the Philippines, the San Isidro Campaign began on April 21, 1899, expanding the Philippine–American War front northward. In the medical world, a clinical report on acetylsalicylic acid (later known as aspirin) by Kurt Witthauer (date of birth and death unknown) was published in the April 1899 issue of Die Heilkunde. In the literary world, Joseph Conrad's (1857–1924) Heart of Darkness was serialized in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine from February to April 1899.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information on recordings made in April 1899
April 1899 marks a turning point in the US cylinder industry's reliance on external suppliers for the procurement of recording masters. Based on primary sources and research, we can confirm that the National Phonograph Company and Walcutt & Leeds ended their business relationship, and that Walcutt & Leeds closed down.
National Phonograph Company and Walcutt & Lees end their business
In the early days of its existence, the National Phonograph Company relied on an outside supplier for its masters, but its relationship with Walcutt & Leeds ended in April 1899.
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/pdfs/edison_2m-cyls.pdf
- https://mainspringpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AMERICAN-RECORD-CO_ed2-v3.pdf
Walcutt & Lees closure and inventory transfer
Walcutt & Leeds closed in April 1899 and its remaining stock was taken over by the Excelsior & Musical Phonograph Company.
- https://mainspringpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AMERICAN-RECORD-CO_ed2-v3.pdf
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/pdfs/edison_2m-cyls.pdf
