Music recorded in November 1921
November 1921 was a month in which the postwar order and the reorganization of domestic governance progressed in various parts of the country. On November 1, the Science Service was incorporated in Delaware, institutionalizing a system for the permanent distribution of science news. On the 4th, Takashi Hara (1856–1921) was assassinated at Tokyo Station, shaking Japanese politics to its core. On the 8th, the National Fascist Party (Partito Nazionale Fascista) was formed in Rome, giving Italian politics the form of an organized political party as it shifted to the right. On the 11th, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, solidifying the memory of World War I as a national ritual. On November 12, the Washington Naval Conference (Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington, November 12, 1921–February 6, 1922) opened, with naval disarmament and the Pacific order being the main topics of discussion. On November 23, the Sheppard–Towner Maternity and Infancy Act was passed, and on November 25, Prince Hirohito (1901–1989) became regent, bringing about changes in Japan's governing system.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the November 1921 recording.
Primary sources from November 1921 clearly show store displays, public performances, and exhibits at local expositions aimed at the holiday shopping season, rather than the recording dates themselves. The November 26th issue of the Music Trade Review shows that Victor Talking Machine Co. was preparing Christmas promotional materials, Columbia Graphophone Co. was working on December displays and local store sales, and in Portland, retailers were promoting New Edison and Cheney in the context of expositions and music weeks. Industry activity in November was more strongly reflected in sales and promotional practices than in recording sessions.
Victor
The November 26, 1921 issue of the Music Trade Review reported that Victor Talking Machine Co. was sending out lithograph booklets illustrating each model and a list of gift records to dealers as part of its Christmas sales promotion. Preparation articles for Portland's Music Week also mentioned that the Victrola was used in a concert by Sherman, Clay & Co., and Victor machines were included in the demonstrations at Joseph Horne Co.'s "Week of Music" in Pittsburgh.
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/classic/Music-Trade-Review/1921-73-22/51
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/magazines/mtr/MTR-1921-73-22/MTR-1921-73-22-21.pdf
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/classic/Music-Trade-Review/1921-73-22/42
Columbia
In its November 26th issue, Columbia Graphophone Co. announced its December store displays, promoting Grafonola and records as Christmas gifts. The same issue reported that Walton & Co. in Chattanooga, Tennessee, sold 79 Grafonolas in one week. Furthermore, Remick Song and Gift Shop in Portland prominently featured Columbia Grafonola and Columbia Records, and Joseph Horn in Pittsburgh also held in-store demonstrations.
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/classic/Music-Trade-Review/1921-73-22/51
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/magazines/mtr/MTR-1921-73-22/MTR-1921-73-22-21.pdf
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/classic/Music-Trade-Review/1921-73-22/42
New Edison
The November 26th issue of Music Trade Review, which reports on preparations for Portland Music Week, features Reed-French Piano Co. as a retailer of New Edison and Apollo reproducing pianos. The article also notes that the company promoted the New Edison in its advertisements for the commemorative program of the Pacific International Livestock Exposition and Horse Show, held from November 5th to 12th. Edison-related activities that can be confirmed in November documents mainly consist of displays and announcements by retailers.
Cheney
Cheney Talking Machine Co.'s equipment can be seen in primary sources from November as being featured in demonstrations at leading dealerships. In Portland, GF Johnson Piano Co. announced its handling of Cheney and Victrola as part of the commemorative program for the Pacific International Livestock Expo, and Cheney machines were displayed throughout Joseph Horn's "Week of Music" in Pittsburgh. Cheney had a strong presence in November through demonstrations and in-store promotions at specialty dealerships.
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/magazines/mtr/MTR-1921-73-22/MTR-1921-73-22-21.pdf
- https://elibrary.arcade-museum.com/classic/Music-Trade-Review/1921-73-22/42
Talking Machine Men
Talking Machine Men, Inc. held a public ball at the Hotel Pennsylvania on November 17th. According to the article, the event featured performances by Victor, Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., and Columbia's resident orchestra, indicating that distributors' associations were using orchestras affiliated with record companies to conduct promotional events for the general public.
Black Swan
The November 26th issue of the Music Trade Review briefly reported that Black Swan Phonograph Co. had received legal corporate status. The company's first move, as clearly seen in contemporary documents from November, was to establish its legal corporate status.
