Music recorded in February 1899

This article can be read in about 4 minutes.
Sponsored Links

Music recorded in February 1899

In February 1899, fighting broke out between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines near Manila, Philippines, starting the Philippine–American War. On February 6, 1899, the United States Senate recommended ratification of the Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898. The cornerstone of the Aswan Low Dam was laid in Aswan, Egypt, on February 12, 1899. In North America, a severe cold wave reached the southern part of the country in mid-February 1899, and records of strong cold air moving south were published. In France, Félix Faure (1841–1899) died suddenly on February 16, 1899, and Émile Loubet (1838–1929) was elected president on February 18, 1899. In Australia, the Premiers' Conference discussed amendments to the draft constitution, with issues such as the policy of locating the federal capital within the Colony of New South Wales.

Confirmed recordings this month: 0

Summary of information on recordings made in February 1899

For February 1899, there are many areas where there are insufficient primary records (such as recording diaries and company ledgers) that directly show commercial recording in action, and the facts that can be determined on a monthly basis are limited. In this article, we will organize what can be explained by linking it to that month, focusing on catalog publications that can be confirmed as documents dated February 1899 and patent documents related to recording devices.

Berliner saucer inventory catalog (February 22, 1899)

Materials made public by the American Discography Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara Library include an inventory catalog of Berliner disc records published in England on February 22, 1899. While this is not a document indicating the date of the actual recording, it is a document with a publication date that supports the repertoire and distribution situation on the market as of February 1899.

Berliner numbering system and its position as of February 1899

An excerpt from the "Berliner User's Guide" included in the University of California, Santa Barbara Library's Discography of American Historical Recordings explains the numbering systems (e.g., Block Series, 0 Series) for American Berliner discs and their general chronological correspondence. It indicates that the Block Series is based on master recordings made between 1892 and March 1899, and that the 0 Series began in March 1899, placing February 1899 "just before the switch" in the system. However, the same document also notes that the lack of surviving recording files (ledgers) limits the ability to precisely pinpoint recording dates. Therefore, determining "individual recording dates" for February 1899 within the month is constrained by the availability of materials.

Edison's patent document for a recording device (dated February 10, 1899)

The Thomas A. Edison Papers at Rutgers University (The State University of New Jersey) contain patent documents for a "Phonograph Recording Apparatus" by Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931), with an Executed Date of February 10, 1899, an Application Date of March 17, 1899, and a Grant Date of December 10, 1901 (U.S. Patent No. 688,610). As a primary source dated February 1899, it confirms that improvements and research into recording mechanisms were underway at the time. However, it is important to note that this document is a record of the "patent (technology)" and does not confirm the recording or release of a specific record in that month.

January 1899
1899 TOP
March 1899
Sponsored Links