Century-Old Sounds

Victor 10-Inch Single-Sided Black-Label Records 1901-1913
Victor introduced the ten-inch disc in January 1901 and they quickly became the new standard for the next sixty years. No other recording format has yet to exceed this length of dominance on the market. The twelve-incher, launched in 1903, was also popular but still a distant second. They captured the voices of opera singers and vaudevillians that cut their teeth in the late 1800s as well as Elvis Presley and other early rock 'n' rollers starting out in the 1950s. Some were children during the American Civil War and a few even served. Some were Rock 'n Roll pioneers and a few are still alive today. The Ten-Inch 78 RPM Record is truly the cultural crossroads of the Twentieth Century.

Even though all of them are called 78s today for convenience, that speed would not become the standard until the mid 1920s. They were actually recorded at a variety of speeds from 60-120 RPM. During the acoustical recording age (before electric microphones in 1925), speeds varied among the companies and even within due to equipment inaccuracies and mastering preferences. Acoustic Victors were normally recorded at 76 RPM and the company was very good in maintaining that. On rare occasions the speed may vary by one or two revolutions, which still doesn't sound obvious by casual listening.

As for this section, Victor produced ten-inch single-sided Black Label records from 1901 to 1913. Double-sided records were introduced in 1908, causing that drop-off a few years later. Victor's classier single-sided Red Label (Red Seal) line lasted until 1923 when market forces required them to double-up too. The Black Label is the oldest of the colors before the musical genres were split up into red, purple, blue and so forth a few years later. Black Labels contained the popular and mainstream music of the day. They also included comedy, Vaudeville and spoken word presentations. They were more expensive than cylinders but were preferred for their longer playing time and louder volume. Most carried a patent label on the blank reverse, a consequence of the patent war that had been going on since the beginning of the industry and which would continue for some time. This was also the decade when discs overtook cylinders and transformed recorded sound from a novelty into a serious entertainment medium.
Encoded Speed: 192 Kbps

Turkey In De Straw

Billy Golden

Victor 65

Matrix# [Pre-matrix B-]65, Take M-4

May 2, 1902

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)

Note: Worn.


Uncle Josh in Society	(Blank)
Cal Stewart
Victor 661
Matrix# [Pre-matrix B-]661, Take 6
April 22, 1903
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Played at 78 RPM. Worn.


Medley of Plantation Songs	(Blank)
Haydn Quartet
Victor 1416
Matrix# B-1306, Take 7
January 5, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?)


We are Going Down the Valley	(Blank)
Harry Macdonough
Victor 1712
Matrix# B-1173, Take 1
March 29, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn.


My Old Kentucky Home	(Blank)
Haydn Quartet
Victor 1997
Matrix# B-3389, Take 3
May 16, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Du Du - German Air	(Blank)
Bohumir Kryl
Victor 2595
Matrix# (Vi cat 2595), Take 1 (?)
1903
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Down on the Brandywine	(Blank)
Collins & Harlan
Victor 2754
Matrix# B-1206, Take 3
April 12, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn.


Under the Double Eagle March	(Blank)
Pryor's Orchestra
Victor 2759
Matrix# B-1116, Take 2
March 15, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn, especially at start.

Wedding of the Winds Waltz

Arthur Pryor's Band

Victor 2773

Matrix# B-1263, Take 6

September 23, 1909

Camden, New Jersey (?)

Note: Also recorded in earlier takes on April 25, 1904.


Japanese National Air	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 2786
Matrix# B-1266, Take 1
March 26, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


The Forge in the Forest	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 2789
Matrix# B-1287, Take 5
November 23, 1905
New York, New York
Note: Baton before start. In-studio horn bump.


La Gitana Waltz	(Blank)
Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 2874
Matrix# B-1477, Take 1 or 2
June 23, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn, especially at start.


Dancing in the Barn	(Blank)
Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 2877
Matrix# B-1504, Take 2
June 22, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn or poorly recorded.


Die fier Kashes (Der Seder Nacht)	(Blank)
Miss Lizzie Goldfinger with Goldin Quartet
Victor 2878
Matrix# B-1568, Take 1
July 8, 1904
New York, New York
Note: noted as B-1572 in EDVR

Sobre las Olas Waltz (Over the Waves Waltz)

Victor Dance Orchestra

Victor 2881

Matrix# B-6878, Take 1

March 15, 1909

Camden, New Jersey (?)

Note: Worn. Hairline crack towards end, not audible.


Wedding of the Winds Waltz	(Blank)
Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 2882
Matrix# B-1509, Take 1 or 2
June 22 or 23, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn.


Fall in Line March	(Blank)
Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 2886
Matrix# B-1520, Take 2
June 27, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn. Hairline crack halfway through, not audible.


Washington Post March	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Orchestra
Victor 2887
Matrix# B-1521, Take 2
June 27, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn.


The Norseman March	(Blank)
Victor Dance Orchestra (Pryor's Orchestra)
Victor 2892
Matrix# B-1526, Take 1
June 28, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Uncle Sammy March	(Blank)
Victor Dance Orchestra (Arthur Pryor's Orchestra)
Victor 2897
Matrix# B-1530, Take 2
June 28, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn. DAHR notes Take 2 was reserved for Canada.

	(Reverse Label Worn Off)
Medley of Broadway Hits Good Bye, Eliza Jane Follow the Crowd on a Sunday Down on the Brandywine All Aboard for Dreamland Blue Bell Jovial Joe Meet Me in St. Louis I've Got a Feelin' for You	(Blank)
Frank Mazziotta
Victor 2905
Matrix# B-1489, Take 2
June 20, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Tingelingeling	(Blank)
August Kreuder
Victor 2910
Matrix# B-1398, Take 1
June 3, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Pressing indentation at start.


Largo	(Blank)
Charles D'Almaine
Victor 2925
Matrix# B-1475, Take 2
June 15, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn or poor pressing?


New Year's at Old Trinity	(Blank)
Haydn Quartet
Victor 2935
Matrix# B-1563, Take 1, 2, 3, or 4
July 7, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Die fier Schnorers (from Jeshive Buchor)	(Blank)
Goldin Hebrew Quartet
Victor 2949
Matrix# B-1571, Take 1
July 8, 1904
New York, New York
Note: In-studio bumps at 0:07 and 0:12.


Royal Italian March	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 2961
Matrix# B-1227, Take 1 or 2
April 18, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn.

Monarch Minstrel First Part, No. 6

The Georgia Minstrels

Victor 3040

[Pre-matrix B-]3040, Take 3

April 15, 1902

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)

Note: Handwritten underneath/near label is "Minstrel No. 6 Minstrel", "4-15-02", "3040", "3", and "H".


Kv�sarvalsen	(Blank)
Joel Mossberg
Victor 3423
Matrix# B-3522, Take 1
July 11, 1906
New York, New York


La Bonita Waltz	(Blank)
Samuel Siegel
Victor 4014
Matrix# [Pre-matrix B-]3381, Take 2
May 20, 1901
Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Announced.


The Farewell Waltz	(Blank)
Miss Morgan and Mr. Stanley
Victor 4171
Matrix# B-1939, Take 1 or 3
November 16, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


German Patriotic Air	(Blank)
Sousa's Band
Victor 4196
Matrix# B-2049, Take 2
December 14, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


The Palms	(Blank)
Emilio de Gogorza
Victor 4257
Matrix# B-2128, Take 3
January 10, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Good Bye, Sweet Marie	(Blank)
Harry Macdonough & Haydn Quartet
Victor 4435
Matrix# B-2651, Take 1
June 20, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Lorelei - Volklied	(Blank)
Emil Muench
Victor 4440
Matrix# B-2566, Take 2
May 19, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


The Dragon Fly	(Blank)
Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 4448
Matrix# B-2692, Take 2
June 28, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Katrina's Valentine	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Spencer
Victor 4474
Matrix# B-2676, Take 3
June 27, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Everybody Works but Father	(Blank)
Billy Murray
Victor 4519
Matrix# B-2743, Take 7
December 22, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


A Barnyard Serenade	(Blank)
Spencer & Holt
Victor 4562
Matrix# B-2885, Take 1
November 14, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn.


A Gay Gossoon	(Blank)
Vess L. Ossman
Victor 4589
Matrix# B-2853, Take 1
November 1, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn.


So Long, Mary!	(Blank)
Miss Corinne Morgan with Haydn Quartet
Victor 4590
Matrix# B-2999, Take 2
January 12, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Why don't You Try?	(Blank)
Harry Tally
Victor 4593
Matrix# B-2930, Take 3
December 8, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


My Hindoo Man	(Blank)
Peter Lewin
Victor 4612
Matrix# B-3002, Take 2
January 15, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)

Serenata (Schubert's Serenade)

Se�or Francisco (Emilio de Gogorza)

Victor 4643

Matrix# B-3085, Take 2

February 5, 1906

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Dance of the Song Birds	(Blank)
Victor Orchestra
Victor 4648
Matrix# B-2945, Take 2
December 13, 1905
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Mandy and Her Man	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Spencer
Victor 4670
Matrix# B-3188, Take 2
March 16, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn.


The Rosary	(Blank)
Alan Turner
Victor 4676
Matrix# B-3206, Take 3
March 23, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


In the Gloaming	(Blank)
Miss Corinne Morgan
Victor 4682
Matrix# B-3148, Take 3
February 27, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn. In-studio bump at 0:56.


The Whistlers - Intermezzo	(Blank)
Sousa's Band
Victor 4705
Matrix# B-3271, Take 4
April 13, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


The Dixie Rube	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 4706
Matrix# B-3216, Take 2
March 27, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


The Hunter's Farewell	(Blank)
Victor Brass Quartet
Victor 4712
Matrix# B-3151, Take 2
February 28, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: marked B-3051 in wax


Azaleas	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 4743
Matrix# B-3400, Take 1
May 22, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


La Golondrina (The Swallow)	(Blank)
Se�or Francisco
Victor 4800
Matrix# B-3492, Take 2
June 27, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


I Don't Know Where I'm Goin, but I'm on My Way	(Blank)
Arthur Collins
Victor 4804
Matrix# B-3474, Take 2
June 14, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Believe Me if all Those Endearing Young Charms	(Blank)
Miss Florence Hinkle
Victor 4874
Matrix# B-3532, Take 3
July 16, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Elegie	(Blank)
Rosario Bourdon
Victor 4897
Matrix# B-3869, Take 2
October 10, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Experience	(Blank)
Miss Ada Jones
Victor 4905
Matrix# B-3909, Take 1
October 18, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


March Comrades	(Blank)
U. S. Marine Band
Victor 4943
Matrix# B-3892, Take 1
October 15, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Rosie and Rudolph at the Skating Rink	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Spencer
Victor 4973
Matrix# B-4090, Take 5
January 28, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


The Preacher and the Bear	(Blank)
Sousa's Band
Victor 4981
Matrix# B-3778, Take 2
September 6, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Don't You Want a Paper, Dearie?	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Haydn Quartet
Victor 4997
Matrix# B-4148, Take 1 or Unknown
December 19, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Herr. Snickelfritz and His Band	(Blank)
Len Spencer
Victor 5009
Matrix# B-3924, Take 3
October 26, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Chicken Charlie	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 5011
Matrix# B-3410, Take 2
May 24, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Victory (Easter Hymn)	(Blank)
Trinity Choir
Victor 5015
Matrix# B-4187, Take 1
January 21, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Becky and Izzy (A Yiddish Courtship)	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Spencer
Victor 5034
Matrix# B-4277, Take 2
February 28, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


La Gitana Waltz	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 5076
Matrix# B-3411, Take 3
May 24, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Coppelia Valse	(Blank)
Victor Concert Orchestra
Victor 5079
Matrix# B-4251, Take 1
February 15, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Hermosillo - Intermezzo Mexican	(Blank)
Victor Orchestra
Victor 5111
Matrix# B-4290, Take 3
March 7, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn at start.


New Colonial March	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 5126
Matrix# B-4402, Take 2
April 16, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn.


Lorelei	(Blank)
Mme. Kitty Berger
Victor 5128
Matrix# B-4468, Take 2
May 4, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Blondy and Her Johnny	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Spencer
Victor 5133
Matrix# B-4456, Take 1
May 2, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Since You Called Me Dearie	(Blank)
Byron G. Harlan
Victor 5146
Matrix# B-4472, Take 3
May 9, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn.


Kiss, Kiss, Kiss (If You Want to Learn to Kiss)	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Murray
Victor 5165
Matrix# B-4445, Take 2
April 29, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Monastery Bells	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 5179
Matrix# B-4492, Take 3
May 15, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Minnie and Herman	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Spencer
Victor 5186
Matrix# B-4556, Take 1, 2 or 3
June 4, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


On the Belvidere	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 5206
Matrix# B-4633, Take 1 or 2
July 3, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


'Neath the Old Cherry Tree, Sweet Marie	(Blank)
Byron G. Harlan
Victor 5214
Matrix# B-4720, Take 2 or 3
July 29, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Comin' Thro' the Rye - Humoresque	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 5218
Matrix# B-4479, Take 2
May 14, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Parade Post With Kaiser Friedrich March	(Blank)
German Cavalry Band
Victor 5255
Matrix# B-4748, Takes 1, 2 or 3
August 2, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)


Under Any Old Flag at All	(Blank)
Billy Murray
Victor 5339
Matrix# B-4967, Take 1
December 12, 1907
Camden, New Jersey (?)


Dixie Fantasia	(Blank)
Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 5458
Matrix# B-4497, Take 2
July 3, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Hairline crack halfway through but not audible.


I Want You	(Blank)
Henry Burr
Victor 5463
Matrix# B-6031, Take 5
April 28, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?)


Henny and Hilda at the Schuetzenfest	(Blank)
Miss Jones and Mr. Spencer
Victor 5520
Matrix# B-6289, Take 3
July 3, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?)


Guarantee of Bank Deposits	(Blank)
William Jennings Bryan
Victor 5539
Matrix# B-6278, Take 2
July 21, 1908
Lincoln, Nebraska


Irish Humor	(Blank)
William H. Taft
Victor 5558
Matrix# B-6334, Take 1
August 5, 1908
Hot Springs, Virginia
Note: Click Here for a more-filtered version.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Haydn Quartet

Victor 5570

Matrix# B-6395, Take 3

September 9, 1908

Camden, New Jersey (?)

Note: played at 74 RPM


When Grandma Was a Girl	(Blank)
Ada Jones
Victor 5574
Matrix# B-6353, Take 2
August 18, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?)


B. P. O. E. (Elks' Song)	(Blank)
Nat M. Wills
Victor 5614
Matrix# B-6541, Take 2
October 14, 1908
Camden, New Jersey
Note: Click Here for a smoother sound with a 2.6 mil stylus, though a bit more unnatural.