Music recorded in January 1921
January 1921 was a month in which the reorganization following World War I progressed simultaneously in the political, cultural, and social spheres. In the United States, the West Virginia State Capitol was destroyed by fire on January 3, making the reorganization of the state capital an urgent necessity. In Anatolia, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey adopted the 1921 Constitution on January 20, codifying a new governing order based on popular sovereignty. In Europe, the Allied Conference was held in Paris from January 25 to 29, demonstrating that the conflict over German reparations continued. Culturally, Charles Chaplin's (1889–1977) film "The Kid" premiered in New York on January 21, becoming a major hit as a representative work of feature-length comedy. Furthermore, Karel Čapek's (1890–1938) play "RUR" premiered in January, which helped to popularize the word "robot." January 1921 was characterized by the simultaneous progress of post-war order adjustments, reconstruction of national institutions, response to urban disasters, and the spread of new popular culture and language.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the recording from January 1921
In January 1921, the recording industry saw simultaneous developments including the introduction of new equipment at the start of the year, the preparation of promotional materials for salespeople, the restructuring of the agency network, and the expansion of demand for records centered on popular artists. On the other hand, some companies were entering a phase of restructuring due to financial difficulties, and the industry as a whole was in a state of parallel expansion and consolidation. Contemporary industry documents from that month reveal the activities of record companies, phonograph companies, and major sales companies in different forms.
Victor
Victor Talking Machine Co. unveiled its new Victrola No. 80 in January 1921. The January 15, 1921 issue of "The Talking Machine World" described the model as a $100 full-cabinet type, initially available in mahogany, English brown, and American walnut. The fact that the company released a new model with a clearly defined price range at the beginning of the year is significant as it indicates that they were beginning to concretize their sales strategy for 1921.
Edison
Thomas A. Edison, Inc. has prepared a new compact portfolio for its sales staff. This is a photogravure-reduced version of last year's larger portfolio, containing fourteen sales proposals, and is reportedly ready for distribution. While this does not involve the announcement of new recordings, the company's decision to revise its standardized materials for sales staff at the beginning of the year indicates a strengthening of its sales support system.
Brunswick
The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company announced in its January 1921 issue that its 1920 phonograph and record sales had increased by 58 percent compared to 1919. It also highlighted its six phonograph factories, two record pressing plants, and forty branch offices, and expressed its gratitude to its retailers. This was not merely an advertisement, but a declaration of its corporate activities, showcasing the scale of its production system and sales network at the start of the new year.
OK
Okeh Records, a subsidiary of General Phonograph Corporation, clearly showed a surge in shipments and demand by January 1921. General Sales Director John Cromelin (dates unknown) stated that daily shipments at the time were several hundred percent higher than the same period the previous year. Furthermore, plans for a nationwide tour by Mamie Smith (1883–1946) and her Jazz Hounds were being reported, and sales expansion strategies were being pursued to link popular recordings to live performances.
Sonora
Sonora Phonograph Co., Inc. announced in its New Year's advertisement that the operation of its new factory would allow it to serve new dealerships. In addition, at the annual board meeting in the second week of January, existing officers were re-elected, and Frank J. Coupe (dates of birth and death unknown), who had been leading the sales division, was elected vice president. Documents from January 1921 confirm that the company had solidified its structure in both production and sales.
Vocalion
The Aeolian Company's Vocalion welcomed Philadelphia Show Case Co. as its new official wholesale distributor on January 1, 1921. The article reports that the company would exclusively handle Vocalion machines and Vocalion records, primarily in Pennsylvania, the southern states of New Jersey, and Delaware, and that it participated in a sales conference at Aeolian Hall in New York. This is an example of simultaneous restructuring of sales territories and sales training at the beginning of the year.
putty
In its January 1921 issue, Pathé Frères Phonograph Co. prominently featured a list of its nationwide network of distributors, strongly promoting its electric phonographs. The advertisement clearly stated that the electric phonographs were not more expensive than regular phonographs and encouraged customers to telegram to their nearest distributor if they were not sold at a Pathé dealer, demonstrating its intention to expand sales channels. This confirms that the company entered the New Year's sales season while showcasing its nationwide distribution network.
Standard Wooden Wear
Among the major distributors, Standard Woodenware Co. is noteworthy. The company has reportedly acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Mandel phonographs in California, Arizona, and Nevada from its Los Angeles base, and will also handle the newly introduced Mandel Records. The article reports the start of an intensive sales campaign, but the official name of the Mandel manufacturer is not confirmed from that section.
Emerson
A.T. Emerson, Inc. was placed under administrator control in January 1921. According to the article, this followed a similar measure taken against Emerson Phonograph Co., Inc., and A.T. Emerson's assets were estimated at approximately $400,000 and its liabilities at approximately $300,000. This is an example that shows the recording industry at the beginning of the year was facing not only the launch of new products but also a period of business restructuring.
