Victor 10-Inch Double-Sided Acoustical Records
1908-1925

Double-sided discs had been technically possible since the earliest days of Berliner in the 1890s and a few isolated cases were actually issued since that time. However, several factors delayed their major debut until 1908. First of all, their manufacture was too difficult and costly. Various inventors went to work improving it and in the process filed patents and made the patent war even hotter than it already was. The major companies along with many dealers and artists were also reluctant because doubling a record's content wouldn't necessarily allow them to double its price on the market. That would result in a price-cut for everyone involved. Columbia finally forced everyone's hand in a big way in 1908 by announcing it would switch exclusively to the manufacture of double-sided discs. In addition, they would retail the ten-inchers for just 65¢, versus the 60¢ of their previous single-siders. Eldridge R. Johnson and Victor very reluctantly followed suit the following week but only for their popular-series Black Label issues, joined by a new Blue Label in 1910. Victor's prestigious Red Seal line of classical and operatic discs was kept single-sided until 1923.

Victor's 75¢ double-sided Ten-Inch Black Label discs continued to offer the same kind of popular music and dialogue found on the single-sided ones. As a matter of fact, hundreds of the earlier double-discs contained reissues of those singles in order to quickly bulk up the catalog. Sometimes the couplings matched in theme, sometimes they didn't. Doubling-up also meant the patent sticker could no longer fit on the back so such information was moved to the labels themselves. This made the design crowded but over the years the notes were shortened as patents expired and the patent war died down. Eventually it became common to feature the same artist on both sides and by the time of electrical recording in 1925 it was rare not to. This was also when the phonograph was in a heyday of sales and popularity unmatched until after the Great Depression. These discs led into the Jazz Age, the Roaring '20s.

This page covers the 16000 series from 16000 to 16999 with issue dates ranging from 1908 to 1911. However due to those many re-issues to launch the series, recording dates can actually be years earlier. Yet, as the years progressed many older takes were replaced with re-recorded ones while the catalog numbers were retained, so those can date years later than the original issues. Also to note, the 16000 series far surpassed its own numerical limit and actually reached to 27975 in 1942 before it was retired. The studio recording equipment and the materials used in record manufacture were at a high point in quality during these years. Both would notably decrease later in the decade.

Encoded Speed: 192 Kbps

Narcissus Hearts and Flowers
Arthur Pryor's Band Victor Orchestra
Victor 16029-A Victor 16029-B
Matrix# B-6222, Take 5 Matrix# B-2328, Take 2
June 17, 1913 September 10, 1908
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Hairline crack barely audible until 0:08. Note: Worn with hairline crack audible until 1:10.

The Wren The Echo
Darius Lyons Lyons and Trepte
Victor 16047-A Victor 16047-B
Matrix# B-5072, Take 2 Matrix# B-4979, Take 4
February 12, 1908 January 21, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Uncle Josh in a Chinese Laundry Uncle Josh on a Bicycle
Cal Stewart Cal Stewart
Victor 16068-A Victor 16068-B
Matrix# B-4136, Take 4 Matrix# B-4141, Take 3
July 31, 1919 August 1, 1919
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: played at 78 RPM; also recorded in much earlier takes. Note: played at 78 RPM; also recorded in much earlier takes.

Father is a Judge I'd Rather Float Through a Dreamy Old Waltz With You, You, You
Billy Murray Billy Murray and Haydn Quartet
Victor 16076-A Victor 16076-B
Matrix# B-6456, Take 1 Matrix# B-6457, Take 1 or 3
September 24, 1908 September 24, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Worn.

Loveland Waltzes American Eagle March
Pryor's Orchestra Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16089-A Victor 16089-B
Matrix# B-2188, Take 1 or 4 Matrix# B-1786, Take 4
February 1, 1905 or June 6, 1906 March 27, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Very worn. Note: Worn.

Arrival of the Robins Robin Red Breast
Pryor's Orchestra Macdonough and Belmont
Victor 16094-A Victor 16094-B
Matrix# B-2548[a], Take 4 Matrix# B-4884, Take 1 or 2
October 17, 1907 October 18, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) New York, New York
Note: Slightly worn. Several needle digs. Note: Slightly worn.

In Tyrol Under the Harvest Moon
Al. H. (Metz) Wilson Al. H. (Metz) Wilson
Victor 16096-A Victor 16096-B
Matrix# B-3047, Take 1 Matrix# B-3048, Take 1
January 26, 1906 January 26, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

Auction Sale of Household Goods Dog Fight
Leonard G. Spencer Len Spencer and Al Holt
Victor 16107-A Victor 16107-B
Matrix# B-1428, Take 2 Matrix# B-3392, Take 2
June 7, 1904 May 16, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Take 2 listed as reserved for Canada in DAHR.

Gesundheit! National Air of Germany - "Die Wacht am Rhein"
Arthur Pryor's Band Sousa's Band
Victor 16138-A Victor 16138-B
Matrix# B-4811, Take 1 Matrix# B-11355, Take 2
September 16, 1907 December 12, 1911
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Camden, New Jersey

Foreign Missions Our Army and Navy
William H. Taft William H. Taft
Victor 16143-A Victor 16143-B
Matrix# B-6337, Take 1 Matrix# B-6328, Take 1
August 5, 1908 August 5, 1908
Hot Springs, Virginia Hot Springs, Virginia

War Songs March Estudiantina Waltz
Victor Drum, Fife and Bugle Corps Victor Orchestra (Arthur Pryor's Orchestra)
Victor 16154-A Victor 16154-B
Matrix# B-4673, Take 1 or 2 Matrix# B-1109, Take 5
July 12, 1907 December 21, 1908
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Worn.

A Southern Belle By the Swanee River
Arthur Pryor's Band Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16155-A Victor 16155-B
Matrix# B-1250, Take 5 Matrix# B-2396, Take 3
March 26, 1906 September 10, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)

(1) My Old Kentucky Home (2) Home Sweet Home (1) America (2) Star Spangled Banner
Westminster Chimes (Christopher H. H. Booth) Westminster Chimes (William H. Reitz)
Victor 16160-A Victor 16160-B
Matrix# B-1385, Take 2 Matrix# B-14843, Take 2
June 13, 1904 May 19, 1914
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Camden, New Jersey
Note: In-studio bump at 0:28. Note: In-studio bump at 0:07.

An Ideal Republic Immortality
William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan
Victor 16168-A Victor 16168-B
Matrix# B-6273, Take 3 Matrix# B-6272, Take 2
July 21, 1908 June 15, 1908
Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln, Nebraska

Dancing in the Barn "Always Gallant" Polka
Victor Dance Orchestra Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 16181-A Victor 16181-B
Matrix# B-1504, Take 1 or 2 Matrix# B-1506, Take 1 or 2
June 22, 1904 June 22, 1904
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)

The Holy City - Part I The Holy City - Part II
Harry Macdonough Harry Macdonough
Victor 16184-A Victor 16184-B
Matrix# B-3703, Take 3 Matrix# B-3704, Take 3
December 3, 1908 December 3, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Hands Across the Sea March Semper Fidelis March
Sousa's Band Sousa's Band
Victor 16190-A Victor 16190-B
Matrix# B-2016, Take 9 Matrix# B-2020, Take 9
October 22, 1908 October 21, 1908
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

Old Oaken Bucket The Bridge
Peerless Quartet Hayden Quartet
Victor 16217-A Victor 16217-B
Matrix# B-16780, Take 2 Matrix# B-1299, Take 3
November 17, 1915 November 5, 1908
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: In-studio start cue.

Military Serenade (Léonard) Sing Sweet Bird
Charles D'Almaine Charles D'Almaine and Darius Lyons
Victor 16242-A Victor 16242-B
Matrix# B-1253, Take 2 Matrix# B-4153, Take 4
April 23, 1904 December 28, 1906
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: In-studio talking before start.

I Wish I Had a Girl Broke
Billy Murray Edward W. Meeker
Victor 16291-A Victor 16291-B
Matrix# B-6693, Take 2 or 3 Matrix# B-6833, Take 1
December 30, 1908 February 25, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Polka Francais Kiss Waltz
Victor Orchestra Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 16315-A Victor 16315-B
Matrix# B-6590, Take 2 Matrix# B-6890, Take 1
November 9, 1908 March 17, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

William Tell Overture
(Part I - At Dawn)		 William Tell Overture
(Part II - The Storm)
Arthur Pryor's Band Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16380-A Victor 16380-B
Matrix# B-1275, Take 4 Matrix# B-1276, Take 9
September 24, 1909 May 4, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Officer of the Day March King Cotton March
Arthur Pryor's Band Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16386-A Victor 16386-B
Matrix# B-1133, Take 4 Matrix# B-821, Take 6
May 6, 1909 February 10, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Southern Roses Waltz Man Behind the Gun March
Arthur Pryor's Band Sousa's Band
Victor 16395-A Victor 16395-B
Matrix# B-4823, Take 2 Matrix# B-2018, Take 6
September 19, 1907 October 21, 1908
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Camden, New Jersey

Il Trovatore - Home to Our Mountains The Heart Bowed Down
Miss Morgan and Mr. Macdonough Alan Turner
Victor 16407-A Victor 16407-B
Matrix# B-3257, Take 3 Matrix# B-2909, Take 2
March 9, 1909 November 27, 1905
Camden, New Jersey (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn.

Marching Through Georgia Second Connecticut March
Harlan and Stanley Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16416-A Victor 16416-B
Matrix# B-1746, Take 10 Matrix# B-2413, Take 9
May 17, 1909 May 21, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Worn at start.

Praise Ye the Father Onward Christian Soldiers
Trinity Choir Trinity Choir
Victor 16419-A Victor 16419-B
Matrix# B-3353, Take 5 Matrix# B-6604, Take 1
February 23, 1909 November 13, 1908
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Worn. Crack in middle. Note: Worn.

Die Wacht am Rhein Lorelei - Volklied
Emil Muench Emil Muench
Victor 16423-A Victor 16423-B
Matrix# B-2565, Take 4 or 5 Matrix# B-2566, Take 5
July 19, 1909 August 10, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

A Bunch of Nonsense Down Where the Big Bananas Grow
Murray K. Hill Collins and Harlan
Victor 16446-A Victor 16446-B
Matrix# B-8354, Take 1 or 2 Matrix# B-8320, Take 1 or 2
November 9, 1909 October 26, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

Little David, Play on Yo' Harp
Shout All Over God's Heaven		 I Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray
Fisk University Jubilee Quartet Fisk University Jubilee Quartet
Victor 16448-A Victor 16448-B
Matrix# B-8450, Take 1 Matrix# B-8422, Take 2
December 8, 1909 December 1, 1909
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

A Talk on Married Life Medley of Negro Songs

Oh, Ma Lulu
Keep A'Hammerin' on Ma Soul
Haul Dat Cotton Bale
What Kind O' Clo's Does de Angels Wear?
Murray K. Hill American Quartet
Victor 16463-A Victor 16463-B
Matrix# B-8362, Take 2 Matrix# B-8582, Take 3
November 10, 1909 January 31, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey

The Garden of Roses My Garden that Blooms for You
Harry Macdonough and Haydn Quartet John B. Wells
Victor 16467-A Victor 16467-B
Matrix# B-8591, Take 2 Matrix# B-8403, Take 1 or 2
February 2, 1910 November 24, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Nora Malone Beerland
Ada Jones and American Quartet Josie Sadler
Victor 16486-A Victor 16486-B
Matrix# B-8689, Take 1 Matrix# B-8046, Take 1
March 9, 1910 June 11, 1909
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey (?)

Shaky Eyes Popular Medley No. 6

Wild Cherries
Beautiful Eyes
That Mesmerizing Mendelssohn Tune
Foxy Moon
Billy Murray Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16504-A Victor 16504-B
Matrix# B-8959, Take 2 Matrix# B-8874, Take 1 or 2
May 16, 1910 April 21, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Big Bass Viol Epitaphs, or Two Darkys in a Cemetery
Frank C. Stanley and Peerless Quartet Golden and Hughes
Victor 16507-A Victor 16507-B
Matrix# B-8987, Take 2, 3, 4 or 5 Matrix# B-8985, Take 3
May 24, 1910 (2 & 3) or August 31, 1910 (4 & 5) May 24, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Very worn. Note: Worn.

Tannhauser March La Marseillaise
Sousa's Band Sousa's Band
Victor 16514-A Victor 16514-B
Matrix# B-2632, Take 3 or 4 Matrix# B-8525, Take 1
December 21, 1909 December 30, 1909
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey (?)

The Mikado Lancers (3rd and 4th figures) La Gitana Waltz
Victor Dance Orchestra Victor Dance Orchestra
Victor 16518-A Victor 16518-B
Matrix# B-6899, Take 1 Matrix# B-1477, Take 1
March 18, 1909 June 23, 1904
Camden, New Jersey (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Played at 77 RPM.

La Paloma Sobre las Olas Waltz
Sousa's Band Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16529-A Victor 16529-B
Matrix# B-325, Take 8 Matrix# B-1230, Take 7
October 20, 1908 September 17, 1907
Camden, New Jersey (?) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

In the Sweet Bye and Bye The Ninety and Nine
Haydn Quartet Frederic C. Freemantel
Victor 16532-A Victor 16532-B
Matrix# B-6521, Take 2 Matrix# B-4917, Take 3
October 9, 1908 February 23, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Labels are affixed in reverse on the record.

The Mocking Bird - Variations Black Forest Polka
Charles D'Almaine Albert Müller
Victor 16538-A Victor 16538-B
Matrix# B-1366, Take 1 Matrix# 52902
May 27, 1904 1910
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?) Europe

You're Gwine to Get Somethin' What You Don't Expect Cocoanut Dance
Billy Murray Victor Orchestra
Victor 16609-A Victor 16609-B
Matrix# B-9043, Take 4 Matrix# B-9172, Take 2
June 28, 1910 July 15, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

It Happens in Many Families That Dreamy Barcarole Tune
Billy Murray Ada Jones
Victor 16682-A Victor 16682-B
Matrix# B-6963, Take 2 Matrix# B-9160, Take 2
April 6, 1909 July 7, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Tight crack halfway through, barely audible at first. Worn. Note: Tight crack halfway through, barely audible at first. Worn. Talking in background before start.

Mandy, How Do You Do? I'd Like to be a Soldier Boy in Blue
Ada Jones and Billy Murray Byron G. Harlan
Victor 16691-A Victor 16691-B
Matrix# B-9385, Take 2 Matrix# B-8496, Take 2 or 3
August 29, 1910 December 20, 1909
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

Somebody Else, It's Always Somebody Else Watermelon Morals
American Quartet Henry Price
Victor 16707-A Victor 16707-B
Matrix# B-9403, Take 2 Matrix# B-9627, Take 1
September 1, 1910 November 7, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)

When the Roll is Called Up Yonder He Leadeth Me
Hayden Quartet Reinald Werrenrath
Victor 16749-A Victor 16749-B
Matrix# B-3248, Take 7 Matrix# B-9332, Take 2
November 18, 1908 July 28, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey
Note: In-studio cough/bump at 1:37.

Songe d'Automne "'A Frangesa" March
Bohemian Orchestra Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16760-A Victor 16760-B
Matrix# 10074e, Take 1 Matrix# B-4813, Take 2
May 4, 1909 September 17, 1907
London, England Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (?)

Stars and Stripes Forever March Fairest of the Fair March
Sousa's Band Sousa's Band
Victor 16777-A Victor 16777-B
Matrix# B-241, Take 16 Matrix# B-6558, Take 2
December 13, 1912 October 21, 1908
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: Played at 74 RPM.

Kiss Me The Belle of the Barber's Ball
Elida Morris Ada Jones and Billy Murray
Victor 16807-A Victor 16807-B
Matrix# B-9445, Take 3 Matrix# B-9551, Take 1
September 13, 1910 October 14, 1910
Camden, New Jersey (?) Camden, New Jersey (?)
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

Go Back Dublin Daisies
'Gene Greene 'Gene Greene
Victor 16894-A Victor 16894-B
Matrix# B-10209, Take 1 Matrix# B-10192, Take 1
April 18, 1911 April 18, 1911
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

The Oceana Roll Alexander's Ragtime Band
Eddie Morton Collins and Harlan
Victor 16908-A Victor 16908-B
Matrix# B-10712, Take 1 Matrix# B-10374, Take 1
July 12, 1911 May 23, 1911
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: Worn at start. Note: Probably the earliest recording of this song. Edison Wax Amberol #817 by Billy Murray was listed in September and some nearby numbers were recorded in June and July. Exact dates for Wax Amberols are usually unknown.

Hamlet's Soliloquy The Fall of Wolsey
Frank Burbeck Frank Burbeck
Victor 16912-A Victor 16912-B
Matrix# B-10721, Take 2 Matrix# B-10726, Take 1
May 2, 1912 July 13, 1911
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

Prince of Pilsen Selection Robin Hood - Favorite Airs
Sousa's Band Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16919-A Victor 16919-B
Matrix# B-12024, Take 2 Matrix# B-9069, Take 2 or 4
May 16, 1912 June 8, 1910 (#2) or September 4, 1912 (#4)
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey (? if Take 2)
Note: Mislabeled as "Arthur Pryor's Band".

Under the Double Eagle March "Lights Out" March
Sousa's Band Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16960-A Victor 16960-B
Matrix# B-355, Take 6 Matrix# B-3213, Take 4
October 20, 1908 June 10, 1913
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: In-studio dub created on May 19, 1914. Worn. Note: Worn.

The Herd Girl's Dream Happy Days
Neapolitan Trio Neapolitan Trio
Victor 16967-A Victor 16967-B
Matrix# B-10665, Take 2 Matrix# B-10660, Take 3
June 30, 1911 June 30, 1911
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: Tiny label. Worn. Scratch throughout, not audible. Spot of foreign material at end from 2:47-. Note: Tiny label. Very long recording. Slightly worn.

Nut Cracker Ballet Humoresque
Arthur Pryor's Band Arthur Pryor's Band
Victor 16974-A Victor 16974-B
Matrix# B-10315, Take 2 Matrix# B-10293, Take 2
May 11, 1911 May 8, 1911
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful Joy to the World
Trinity Choir Trinity Choir
Victor 16996-A Victor 16996-B
Matrix# B-11062, Take 1 Matrix# B-10526, Take 5
October 6, 1911 February 28, 1918
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

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