Music recorded in September 1919
September 1919 was a month in which the restructuring of the international order after World War I and tensions among various societies progressed in parallel. On September 3, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) began a nationwide tour advocating for U.S. participation in the League of Nations. On September 9, the HD-4 hydrofoil, developed by Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) and Frederick W. “Casey” Baldwin (1882–1948), set a world record for surface speed. On September 10, the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was signed, concretizing the post-war settlement of the former Austrian Empire. On September 22nd, the nationwide steel strike began in the United States, intensifying labor issues. Furthermore, on September 28th, large-scale racial riots broke out in Omaha, Nebraska, exposing the instability of post-war society.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the September 1919 recording.
In contemporary industry magazines from September 1919, not only were announcements of new record recordings themselves prominent, but also the distribution of supplementary catalogs in foreign languages, the reorganization of directly managed stores and agencies, the expansion of sales floors, and the improvement of performance facilities. Focusing on the September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World," it is clear that major companies were not simply releasing new records nationwide, but were also expanding their markets through local retailers and promotional networks. Below, we will list only the companies and major distributors whose activities can be directly confirmed in September 1919 documents.
Victor
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" featured "Victor Foreign Supplements" by the Victor Talking Machine Company, confirming that the company was developing a multilingual supplement catalog for foreign language markets as of September 1919. The text indicates that the Victor Talking Machine Company was continuing its sales promotion efforts to non-English speaking customer segments.
Columbia
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" contains an article stating that H.E. Spear continued to manage the Columbia Graphophone Co.'s retail store at 409 Fifth Avenue in New York City even after its sale, and that it was being operated with an increased staff. This confirms that as of September 1919, Columbia Graphophone Co.'s directly managed retail function was not simply downsized, but maintained as part of an operational restructuring.
Edison
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" notes that Naomi Music Co. in Jacksonville, Florida, had moved to a new store and prominently displayed the New Edison from Thomas A. Edison, Inc. This confirms that Thomas A. Edison, Inc. products were being actively promoted in the Southern market through newly established sales areas, at least during that month.
putty
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" contains an article about John A. Futch Co. expanding the distribution network of Pathé Frères Phonograph Company. Documents from September 1919 confirm that Pathé Frères Phonograph Company was expanding its sales channels in the southern market through strengthening its regional distributors.
OK
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" reveals Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Co.'s efforts to increase awareness of Okeh Records in the West Coast market. From the article fragments, it can be seen that Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Co. was not merely supplying products that month, but was also actively promoting sales in the local market.
Sonora
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" contains an article about Sonora Phonograph Sales Co., including plans for increased production and shipments of the new Sonora Elite model. According to the September 1919 documents, Sonora Phonograph Sales Co. was expanding its sales through both increased supply capacity and product appeal.
Vocalion
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" contains an article about the Aeolian Company's Vocalion and preparations for exhibiting it at a trade show. By September 1919, the Aeolian Company was setting up a platform to promote the Vocalion to the outside world and was conducting promotional activities.
Brunswick
The September 15, 1919 issue of "The Talking Machine World" features Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. products in a department store promotional article. This September 1919 document confirms that Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. was being promoted in conjunction with local retail store displays, indicating continued expansion of its distribution channels.
