Music recorded in September 1915

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Music recorded in September 1915

September 1915 was a month in which diplomacy, military affairs, environmental protection, and the anti-war movement were all in motion simultaneously. On September 1, the German Empire indicated that it would not attack passenger ships without warning, temporarily easing tensions with the United States. On the 4th, the dedication ceremony for Rocky Mountain National Park took place, making a national framework for nature conservation visible. On the 5th, Nicholas II (1868–1918) personally assumed supreme command of the Russian army, and earlier that month, the International Socialist Conference at Zimmerwald was held in Switzerland, where international cooperation against war was sought. Furthermore, on the 6th, the Kingdom of Bulgaria joined the Central Powers, and on the 25th, the Second Battle of Champagne and the Third Battle of Artois began, further deepening the war of attrition on the Western Front.

Confirmed recordings this month: 0

Summary of information regarding the September 1915 recording.

Regarding recordings in September 1915, the sales system and promotional activities of Thomas A. Edison, Inc. are most clearly documented. The September 1915 issue of the Edison Phonograph Monthly covers dealer meetings, freight regulations, in-store displays, and Canadian sales bases, indicating that the company prioritized the development of its sales network during this month. In addition, the Blue Amberol Records catalog confirms that some of the November 1915 releases were based on disc masters from early to mid-September 1915, suggesting that September was also a production month for cylinder supply. Outside of the Edison group, Victor Talking Machine Company continued to cater to exhibitions and West Coast demand, and Columbia Graphophone Co. also continued its promotional activities using exhibitions and trade shows. Based on the current month's data, it is reasonable to establish the following companies and sales companies, within the scope of what can be safely verified for the month.

Edison

The September 1915 issue of the Edison Phonograph Monthly highlights Thomas A. Edison, Inc.'s activities as a company focused more on improving sales practices than on announcing new releases. The magazine features articles on an Edison dealer convention, explanations of freight regulations and the risk of misreporting, and store display proposals for dealers, demonstrating the company's emphasis on controlling sales operations and presentation. The Blue Ambelol catalog also indicates that Blue Ambelol numbers 2729, 2731, and 2732, released in November 1915, were based on disc masters dated September 13, 9, and 3, 1915, respectively. In September 1915, Thomas A. Edison, Inc. was also operating a production system to convert disc masters into cylinder products while training and promoting its sales network.

Edison Overseas Corporation

The top of the September 1915 issue lists not only the headquarters of Thomas A. Edison, Inc., but also Thomas A. Edison, Ltd. in London and Sydney, Compania Edison Hispano-Americana, Edison Gesellschaft, MBH, and Compagnie Francaise Thomas A. Edison. This confirms that as of September 1915, Edison's recording business had expanded internationally, with sales extending not only to North America but also to the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina, Germany, and France. However, this page alone does not confirm whether each of these local subsidiaries conducted its own recordings in September 1915, or whether their primary focus was sales and distribution.

R.S. Williams

The September 1915 issue features a photographic introduction to the Hamilton store of RS Williams & Sons Co., Ltd., Canada's leading distributor. According to the article, the store had a white enamel interior, six mahogany soundproof rooms, and a basement performance hall. What is important about the recording-related information in September 1915 is that this store is treated as a success story in that issue. RS Williams & Sons was not just a wholesaler, but had established an experiential sales center within the Edison distribution network that incorporated listening sessions, concerts, and demonstrations.

Victor

The September 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" featured the Victor Talking Machine Company's "Victor Temple of Music" as one of the highlights of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This indicates that Victor was continuing its public demonstrations and advertising activities using the exhibition space in September 1915. Furthermore, in the October issue of the same magazine, a representative from Sherman, Clay & Co., a major West Coast distributor, stated that both wholesale and retail sales were strong in September, making it difficult to keep up with the growing demand for Victor products. In September 1915, Victor was simultaneously pursuing its appeal at the exhibition and responding to strong demand in the West Coast market.

Columbia

The autumn 1915 issue of "The Talking Machine World" confirms that Columbia Graphophone Co. continued its promotional activities using world's fairs and exhibitions. The October issue reports that a singing performance had taken place in the past week at the Columbia booth at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, and that the manufacturing process of Columbia Records was on display at the Toronto Fair. These articles show that Columbia continued to promote its products and sales through public exhibitions even into the latter half of September 1915. However, this document alone does not allow us to confirm the sales figures for individual branches or the dates of recordings during September 1915.

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