Music recorded in July 1915
July 1915 was a month of simultaneous changes in war, diplomacy, disaster, occupation, and avant-garde culture. On the Italian front, the Second Battle of the Isonzo began on July 18, intensifying the war of attrition between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. On July 21, the United States sent a memorandum to the German Empire regarding the RMS Lusitania incident, strongly asserting its right to neutrality and the safety of navigation. On July 24, the SS Eastland capsized on the Chicago River, resulting in a major disaster that killed 844 people. On July 28, the United States Marine Corps landed in the Republic of Haiti, marking the beginning of the subsequent occupation. Culturally, the second issue of the avant-garde magazine BLAST was published in London in July, vividly reflecting the tensions of wartime art.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the July 1915 recording.
In the recording industry in July 1915, Thomas A. Edison, Inc. was expanding its supply and distribution network for new cylinder records, while Victor Talking Machine Co. was simultaneously running a nationwide advertising campaign and expanding its headquarters facilities. Columbia Graphophone Company was intensifying its summer promotions, and Pathé Frères Phonograph Co. was working on a nationwide advertising plan and expanding its regional sales network. Furthermore, Sonora Phonograph Corp. continued to expand its sales channels, and Aeolian Company's Vocalion was also working to acquire new distributors. July 1915 was a month in which companies simultaneously advanced new record supply, advertising, distribution network expansion, and the development of listening facilities and promotional materials.
Edison
The July 1915 issue of the Edison Phonograph Monthly featured an announcement from Thomas A. Edison, Inc. regarding new Blue Amberol releases for July, including two concert lists and 20 regular lists. The content was broad, ranging from patriotic songs and popular songs to dance music, marches, and narrative pieces, reflecting an awareness of both domestic entertainment and current events. The Talking Machine World from the same month reported that the Pacific Phonograph Co., responsible for Western distribution, had established a branch distribution center in Portland, confirming that new releases and distribution infrastructure were progressing in parallel by July.
- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Edison-Phonograph/Edison-Phonograph-Monthly-1915-Vol-13.pdf
- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Talking-Machine/10s/Talking-Machine-1915-07.pdf
Victor
The July 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" reported that construction of Victor Talking Machine Co.'s new headquarters in Camden was progressing rapidly. The same issue also confirmed that the company placed a two-page advertisement in the July 10th issue of "The Saturday Evening Post," strongly promoting Victor in a national magazine as a device that could provide large-scale music enjoyment at home. In July 1915, the company was expanding demand not only through the supply of new music but also by combining the expansion of its headquarters facilities with nationwide advertising.
Columbia
The July 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" confirms that the Columbia Graphophone Company was distributing promotional materials for its summer sales, including printed materials and lantern slides intended for in-store use. In addition, the company ran advertisements for Columbia Records in major magazines such as "The Saturday Evening Post," and it was reported that the company-led advertising helped stimulate demand at retail stores across the country. In July 1915, the company was pursuing sales activities that combined nationwide advertising with local promotions.
putty
The July 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" reported that Pathé Frères Phonograph Co. had completed a comprehensive nationwide advertising plan scheduled to begin at the end of the month, aiming to promote both Pathéphone and Pathé discs simultaneously. Furthermore, the Pathéphone Co. of Detroit was established in Michigan on July 6, 1915, and began operations as a distributor of Pathéphone and Pathé discs. It was also confirmed that distributors such as Jacob Doll & Sons and Fischer Co. were expanding their Pathé divisions, indicating that the company was simultaneously pursuing nationwide advertising and expanding its local sales network in July.
Sonora
The July 1915 issue of *The Talking Machine World* reported that Sonora Phonograph Corp. of New York had published a new comprehensive catalog. This catalog was presented as a promotional document systematically showcasing the product range, including the machines themselves and their accessories. The same issue also confirmed the expansion of their sales network on the Pacific coast, with agents and distributors being established in Seattle, Los Angeles County, Klamath Falls, and San Francisco. In July 1915, the Sonora group was simultaneously developing printed promotional materials and expanding its sales channels on the West Coast.
Vocalion
The July 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" confirms that the Aeolian Company's Vocalion was expanding its distribution network. It reports that B. Dreher's Sons Co. began handling Vocalion in Cleveland, changing the competitive landscape in the city. The same issue also notes that Vocalion advertisements by Aeolian Hall were proving successful, indicating that in July 1915, Vocalion was actively pursuing both new dealership acquisition and a high-end advertising strategy.
star
The July 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" reported that Starr Piano Co. had applied for an amendment to its articles of incorporation to enable the manufacture of phonographs. The article stated that a market launch was expected around autumn, but that no official announcement had yet been made, confirming that preparations for entry into the market were underway as of July 1915.
