Alexander Prince: An In-Progress Discography (Updated Jan 2013,Nov 2013,Sept 2020)

Wes Williams

(Originally Published in "Papers of The International Concertina Association" (PICA) Volume 9, 2012)

(Update for Jan 2013 adds Edison cylinders, titles recorded under the alias of ‘George King’, reinstates footnotes and corrects a few typos)

(Update for Nov 2013 adds Edison Bell 'Bell Disc')

(Update for Sept 2020 updates and expands many sections, see [22])

"Alexander Prince made many recordings" has become a common statement for historians of both the concertina and the music hall, but so far there have been no articles demonstrating quite how many. This article attempts to assemble a discography of his recordings based on documentary sources and records in my own collection, restricted to British releases only.[1]

Prince was born in 1874 in Aberdeen, Scotland, his real name being Alexander Sutherland. At 8 years old he broke his leg, and was given a concertina by his father, a music shop owner, to keep him occupied while immobile. He became proficient on the Maccann Duet instrument, and at 20 years of age performed at the Glasgow Exhibition, which led to a career as a major performer. He spent most of his later life in Nottingham when not on tour and died in 1928.[2]

At the end of 1903, major patents applying to disc and cylinder records came to an end, and in the following year many small companies were formed, including one owned by Peter Wyper, the Scottish accordion player. Prince recorded cylinders for Edison-Bell, and by 1906 was recording cylinders for the Sterling label. [3] By 1903 he had also recorded discs for The Gramophone Company (later known as HMV) and Zonophone [4]. Prince signed an exclusive recording deal with Columbia in 1912, and, as the discography shows, he continued to record for Columbia’s Regal label until his death.[5]

Assembling a discography of Prince’s recordings might seem a reasonably simple task, but quickly becomes complex, as the same titles appear on many different labels in different combinations. The normal way to solve these problems is to use the “matrix” number, which is allocated sequentially at the time of the recording and is usually constant for all releases of the same recording. It normally appears on each release in the “run out” at the end of a disc record (but never on cylinders) and sometimes on the label, with the catalogue number of the record itself on the label [6]. However, in the early days of recording these matrix numbers were either not used or frequently changed depending on the label on which the recording was issued, the country in which the record was issued, if and when companies merged, and other factors. These differences make a definitive discography of Prince's recordings virtually impossible.

What follows is divided into groups based on the media (cylinder or disc) and the three main British record labels and their subsidiary or related labels; Columbia, Edison/Edison-Bell, and His Masters Voice (HMV), with a fifth group covering labels that were sold in Britain, but were of foreign origin. Other British labels are known to have issued Prince recordings (like the chain-store Currys, and the bulk seller Ariel) but these recordings were relabeled pressings of recordings from the main companies.

Unless otherwise stated, all disc entries refer to double-sided, ten-inch, 78rpm discs. Composers (where given) are shown in curly brackets({..}); matrix numbers are shown within square brackets ([…]). RD is the release date of the record; C/W is used to show another artist when Prince does not appear on both sides.

It is also worth noting that copyright in recordings did not come into force until 1912, so some recordings in the anonymous section of A Concertina Discography listings may possibly be by Alexander Prince.

I. CYLINDERS (1902 – 1913)

Despite the similarity in name between Edison-Bell and Edison, these were two different companies, the former being established in the early 1890s as an importer of Edison and Columbia cylinders. When Edison started a European operation in 1904, the franchise was withdrawn.

I.1 EDISON-BELL

I.1.1 Edison-Bell Brown Wax – Two-Minute Cylinders (1902)

Edison-Bell started using a numbering system for its cylinders in 1900; previously they had only used title and artist.

1. 6250: “Whistling Rufus” RD 1902
2. 6251: “Life in Vienna” RD 1902
3. 6252: “Italian Tattoo, March” RD 1902
4. 6253: “The Concert Polka” RD 1902

I.1.2 Edison-Bell Gold Moulded – Two-Minute Cylinders (1903 – 1906)

This list shows catalogue numbers for the ‘Gold Moulded’ cylinders, first introduced in 1903. [7]

1. 462: “Whistling Rufus” RD 1903
2. 463: “Life in Vienna” RD 1903
3. 464: “Italian Tattoo, March” RD 1903
4. 465: “The Concert Polka” RD 1903
5. 540: “El Capitan March” RD 1903/4
6. 541: “Poet and Peasant Overture” RD 1903/4
7. 569: “Belphegor March” RD 1903/4
8. 570: “The Concert Waltz” RD 1903/4
9. 571: “Jackanapes Polka” RD 1903/4
10. 572: “Blue Bells of Scotland” RD 1903/4
11. 581: “The Rugby Parade March” (with Olly Oakley, banjo) RD 1903/4
12. 640: “Lumbering Luke” RD 1903/4
13. 641: “The Night Patrol” RD 1903/4
14. 644: “Night Patrol” RD 1904
15. 646: “Bersaglieri March” RD 1904
16. 663: “Under The Double Eagle” (with Olly Oakley, banjo) RD 1904
17. 665: “Hiawatha” RD 1904
18. 777: “Medley of Popular Airs” RD 1905
19. 778: “Woodland Flowers Schottische” RD 1905
20. 779: “Woodland Whispers Schottische” RD 1905
21. 901: ”Maytime Schottische” RD November 1905
22. 913: “Under Freedom’s Flag March” RD November 1905
23. 947: “Danish Airs No. 1” RD 1906
24. 981: “Danish Airs No. 2” RD 1906

I.2 EDISON

I.2.1 Edison Two-Minute Cylinders

Edison cylinders specifically for the British market were first introduced in 1904 (13xxx up series), with some items being re-released with numbers in the American series. These are noted where known.

1. 13750: “Honest Toil – March” {William Rimmer} RD May 1908
2. 13764: “Poppies - A Japanese Romance” {Neil Moret} RD July 1908
3. 13775: “High Jinks – Schottisch” {Carl Kiefert} RD Aug 1908
4. 13791: “Hoch Habsburg! - Marsch” {Johann N. Král,op.86} RD Sept 1908
5. 13803: “Dernière Valse” {Rodolphe Berger} RD Oct 1908
6. 13828: “On the Mississippi - Two-step” {Theodore F. Morse} RD Dec 1908
7. 13838: “Woodland flowers - Schottische” {Felix Burns sr.} RD Jan 1909
8. 13854: “Scotch Reels - Medley” {Trad arr. Prince} RD Feb 1909 (USA as 10200 RD Sept 1909)
9. 13860: “Under The Double Eagle - March” {Wagner} RD Mar 1909
10. 13874: “Preciosa march” {Weber} RD Apr 1909
11. 13882: “Iola - Indian love song” {Johnson} RD May 1909
12. 13893: “The Jackanapes - Polka” {Lowthian} RD Jun 1909
13. 13902: “The Despatch Rider” {Eilenberg} RD Jul 1909 (USA as 10342 RD Apr 1910)
14. 13911: “The Night Patrol” {de Brandt} RD Aug 1909
15. 13921: “Thistledown - Polka” {Ostlere} RD Sep 1909
16. 13940: “On The Go - March” {Pares} RD Mar 1910
17. 13950: “The Jolly Japanese” {Morse} RD Apr 1910
18. 13963: “Impudence - Schottische” {Macey} RD May 1910
19. 13971: “Blue Bonnets - Highland Schottische” {Balfour} RD Jun 1910
20. 13984: “Mr Black Man” {Pryor} RD Jul 1910
21. 14005: “Love and life in Vienna - Waltz” {Komzak} RD Sep 1910
22. 14022: “Belphegor March” {Brepsant} RD Nov 1910
23. 14032: “A Sprig O' Shillelagh” {Helf} RD Dec 1910
24. 14037: “Austrian Cadets - March” {Pares} RD Jan 1911
25. 14096: “The Parade Quickstep” {Pares} RD Dec 1911
26. 14120: “Administration March” {Sousa} RD Mar 1912
27. 14157: “Lads O' Scotland - March” RD Aug 1912
28. 14162: “Bella Bocca - Polka” {Waldteufel} RD Oct 1912

I.2.2 Edison Amberol - Four Minute Cylinders (1908 -1913)

Edison Amberol cylinders were first introduced in 1908 (12xxx British series), with the ‘Blue Amberol’ types (British 23xxx series) being introduced in 1912.[10]

1. 12005: “Nautical Airs” (includes “Sailing,” “ Asleep on the Deep,” “They all Love Jack,” “The Midshipmite, [sic]” “The Death of Nelson,” ”Rule Britannia”) RD Apr 1909 (USA as 245 RD Oct 1909)
2. 12027: “Forgotten Melodies” (includes “Maggie Murphy's Home, ” “Molly and I,and the Baby,” “Katie Connor,” ”Daisy, ” “Two Little Girls in Blue,” “See-Saw,” “Annie Rooney,” “For Old Time’s Sake”)
3. 12040: “Medley of Irish Airs” (includes “Come Back to Erin,” “The Harp that Once,” “Believe Me If All,” “Eileen Alannah,” and a couple of traditional jigs)
4. 12144: “Bonnie Scotland - Medley” RD Mar 1910
5. 12154: “Medley of Welsh Airs” RD Apr 1910
6. 12166: “Les Folies Polka” {Waldteufel} RD May 1910
7. 12188: “La Czarina Mazurka” {Ganne} RD Jul 1910
8. 12208: “The Druid's Prayer - Waltz” {Dawson} RD Aug 1910
9. 12218: “Marche Aux Flambeaux” {Scotson-Clark} RD Sep 1910
10. 12252: “Hop Scotch - Schottische” {Scotson-Clark} RD Dec 1910 (USA as 653 RD Apr 1911)
11. 12266: “Stephanie Gavotte” {Czibulka} RD Jan 1911
12. 12276: “Excelsior” {Balfe} RD Feb 1911
13. 12284: “Les Papillons Polka” {Wenzel} RD Mar 1911
14. 12291: “Dolores Waltz” {Waldteufel} RD Apr 1911
15. 12367: “Golden Crown - Overture” {Herman} RD Nov 1911
16. 12411: “Les Deux Magots” {Bouillon} RD Feb 1912
17. 12465: “Unter Den Linden - March” {Crosse} RD Aug 1912
18. 12493: “Les Sirènes - Waltz” {Waldteufel} RD Oct 1912


19. 23029: “Medley Of Irish Airs” RD March 1913
20. 23055: ”Nazareth” RD April 1913
21. 23064: “Catch Me If You Can” {Noel} RD May 1913
22. 23081: “The Butterfly” {Bendix} RD June 1913
23. 23111: “Merry Widow Waltz” {Lehar} RD Sept 1913
24. 23128: “Forgotten Melodies” RD Oct 1913
25. 23176: “Bonnie Scotland” RD Dec 1913

I.3 LAMBERT - Two minute cylinder (1904-1906)

The Lambert Company Ltd was the independent London arm of the Lambert Company of Chicago, USA, which was responsible for early versions of the “Indestructible” cylinder. All recordings were released after August 1904.[8]

1. 101: “Jackanapes Polka”
2. 102: “Life in Vienna Waltz”
3. 103: “Belphegor March”
4. 104: “El Capitan”
5. 106: “Blue Bells of Scotland”
6. 107: “Hiawatha”

I.4 STERLING - Two minute cylinder (1906 – 1909)

Cylinders issued from September 1906 were “Sterling Specials,” with an extended length of 4.75 inches, as opposed to the standard 4.25 inch length.[9]

1. 367: “El Sorella (La Mattchiche)” RD June 1906
2. 368: “A Sprig of Shilalah” RD Apr 1904
3. 388: “The Skirt Dance” RD June 1906
4. 399: “Il Bacio” RD Aug 1906
5. 415: “Merry Little Niggers” RD July 1906
6. 421: “The Sirenes Waltz”
7. 557: “Silver Heels” RD Sept 1906
8. 558: “Lads o’ Scotland” RD Sept 1906
9. 684: “On the Go, March” RD Dec 1906
10. 688: “España Waltz” RD Dec 1906
11. 746: “Les Folies Polka” RD Feb 1907
12. 764: “The Darkie’s Dream” RD Feb 1907
13. 775: “Hornpipe Medley” RD Mar 1907
14. 829: “La Petite Tonkinoise” {Christiné} RD Apr 1907
15. 861: “Welsh Melodies” RD May 1907
16. 891: “Gay Girls Polka” RD June 1907
17. 892: “The Handicap March” RD July 1907
18. 893: “Donau Wellen Waltz” RD Aug 1907
19. 903: “Dancing with My Baby” RD Sept 1907
20. 907: “The Butterfly” RD Sept 1907
21. 1040: “Words of Love” RD Oct 1907
22. 1041: “The Austrian Cadets” RD Nov 1907
23. 1165: “The High School Cadets” RD May 1908
24. 1166: “Dainty Dolly Gavotte” RD June 1908
25. 1167: “Harry Lauder’s Pops” RD Apr 1908
26. 1168: “Il Bacio RD” Feb 1909
27. 1172: “Life in Vienna” RD Feb 1909
28. 1173: “Estudiatina Waltz” RD Feb 1909
29. 1174: “Creole Belles” RD Feb 1909
30. 1175: “Parade March” RD Feb 1909
31. 1176: “Under Freedom’s Flag” RD Feb 1909
32. 1177: “Highland Schottische” RD Feb 1909

I.5 ELECTRIC - Two Minute Cylinders (1905)

1. 121: “Belphegor March” {Brepsant}RD June 1905
2. 122: “The Bluebells of Scotland” RD Apr 1905

II. EDISON BELL (1910 – 1914)

II.1 Bell Disc (c.1910)

Edison Bell Bell Discs were released between 1908 and 1912. The matrix numbers are the same as the later releases, suggesting that all these recordings were made by Prince c.1910.

1. 205: “Belphegor March” [2437-1] / “The Lost Chord” [2439] RD July 1910
2. 206: “Hop Scotch Schottische” [2435] / “Scotch Reels” [2438-1] RD July 1910
3. 207: “Woodland Flowers” [2434-2] / “Estudiantina Waltz” [2436] RD July 1910
4. 235: “Belphegor March” [2437-1] / “Bluebells Of Scotland” [2457-2] RD January 1911
5. 296: “The Darkies' Holiday” [2459] / “Austria March [2460]” RD August 1911
6. 401: “Hornpipe Medley” [2456] / “My Dream [2461-2]” RD January 1912

II.2 Velvet Face (1910 - 1914)

Edison Bell Velvet Face were the sucessor of the Bell Disc records, promising a quieter playing surface, and were released between 1910 and 1914. The matrix numbers are the same as the earlier Bell Disc releases, suggesting that all these recordings were made by Prince c.1910.

1. 1004: “Il Bacio” [2458] / “Bluebells Of Scotland” [2457-2] RD December 1910
2. 1005: “Austria March” [2460] / “The Lost Chord” [2439] RD December 1910
3. 1014: “Belphegor March” [2437-1] / “Estudiantina Waltz” [2436] RD December 1910
4. 1036: “The Darkies' Holiday” [2459] / “Hornpipe Medley” [2456] RD January 1911
5. 1041: “My Dream” [2461-2]/ (CW Royal Court Orchestra “Black Cat Capers”) RD February 1911
6. 1256: “Hop Scotch Schottische” [2435] / “Scotch Reels” [2438-1] RD February 1913

II.3 Winner (1912 -1914)

"The Winner" records were first released in February 1912. They were intimately connected with Edison-Bell in the UK, both companies being owned by James E. Hough and Company.[11]

1. 2053: “Hopscotch Schottische” {Rose} [2435] / “Darkie's Holiday” {Burns} [2459], RD February 1912.
2. 2054: “My Dreams” [2461] / “Austria March” {Nowotny} [2460] RD February 1912.
3. 2055: “Scotch Reels” [2438-1] / “Belphegor March” {Brepsant} [2437-1] RD February 1912.
4. 2115: “Blue Bells of Scotland” {Macdonald} [2457-2] / “Estudiantina Waltz” {Waldteufel} [2436] RD June 1912.
5. 2167: “Hornpipe Medley” [2456] / “Woodland Flowers” {Burnes} [2434] RD August 1912.
6. 2488: “Lost Chord” {Sullivan} [2439] / “Il Bacio” {Arditi}[2458] RD December 1913.
7. 2528: ”Hopscotch Schottische” {Rose} [2435] / “Scotch Reels” [2438-1] RD January 1914.

III. HIS MASTER'S VOICE GROUP

III.1 Gramophone Concert Records (all single-sided) (1903 – 1910)

Concertina recordings appear in the earliest incarnations of HMV as “The Gramophone Company” and “The Gramophone and Typewriter Company” (G&T).[12]

1. G.C. 9135 “Under The Double Eagle/Cock O' The North” {Wagner/Trad.} [3518b](recorded 22 Apr 1903)
2. G.C. 9136 “Tout Passe” [3517b](recorded 22 Apr 1903)
3. G.C. 9139 “Woodland Flowers” [3581e] (recorded 16 Feb 1906)
4. G.C. 9140 “La Mattchiche” [3694e] (recorded 2 Mar 1906)
5. G.C. 9141 “Pas de Quatre Skirt Dance” [3695e] (recorded 2 Mar 1906)
6. G.C. 9142 “Night Patrol” [3577e] (recorded 16 Feb 1906)
7. G.C. 9143 “Brooklyn Cake Walk” [3693e] (recorded 2 Mar 1906)
8. G.C. 9144 “Austrian Cadets, March” [9815b](recorded 18 Jan 1907)
9. G.C. 9145 “High Jinks” [9180e] (recorded 13 Nov 1908) RD Jan 1909
10. G.C. 9146 “Love me and the world is mine” [9313e] (recorded 16 Dec 1908) RD Feb 1909
11. G.C. 9147 “La Czarina” [11078e] (recorded 14 Dec 1909) RD Apr 1910[13]

III.2 Zonophone

The Zonophone Company had a complex history in the USA and Europe, the bulk of the company being acquired by G&T in June 1903.[14]

III.2.1 Single Sided Discs.

The first truly ”British” Zonophone records were issued in March 1904. They used blocks of 50 numbers starting at 49100 for concertina recordings, but confusingly with different block allocations for 7- or 10-inch discs. In this listing, the 10-inch discs are those with the prefix “X,” the 7-inch discs without a prefix.

1. 49104: “Woodland Flowers” {F. Burns}[2985d](recorded 17 Feb 1906) RD Jun 1906
2. 49105: “Night Patrol” {Martell} [2982d] (recorded 17 Feb1906) RD Jun 1906
3. 49106: “Life in Vienna” {Komzak} [2981d] (recorded 17 Feb 1906) RD July 1906
4. 49107: “Thistledown” [2984d] (recorded 17 Feb 1906) RD July 1906
5. 49108: “The Blue Bells of Scotland” [7443a] (recorded 27 June 1906) RD Oct 1906
6. 49110: “The Merry Widow” {Lehar} [10d] (recorded 4 Feb 1908) RD May 1908
7. 49111: “High School Cadets, March” {Sousa} [9d] (recorded 4 Feb 1908) RD July 1908
8. 49112: “Creole Belles” {Lampe} [11d] (recorded 4 Feb 1908) RD July 1908


9. X-49109: “Whistling Rufus {Mills} [3573e] (recorded 16 Feb 1906) RD Mar 1907
10. X-49110: “Life in Vienna, Waltz” {Komzak} [3576e] (recorded 16 Feb 1906) RD Mar 1907
11. X-49111: “Conceit Waltz” [3579e] (recorded 16 Feb 1906) RD Mar 1907
12. X-49112: “On the Go, March - Le Frigant, Marche” {Pares} [9809b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD Apr 1907
13. X-49113: “Hornpipe medley” [9813b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD June 1907
14. X-49114: “La Petite Tonkinoise” {Scotto, Christiné} [10275b] (recorded March 1907) RD July 1907
15. X-49115: “España Valse” {Waldteufel} [10278b] (recorded March 1907) RD Aug 1907
16. X-49116: “Parade March {Marchetti} [9814b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD Sept 1907
17. X-49117: “Silver Heels” {Moret} [9811b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD Oct 1907
18. X-49118: “Waves of the Danube Waltz (Donauwellen)” {Ivanovici} [10273b] RD Oct 1907
19. X-49119: “Harry Lander's ‘Pops’ ” {Lauder} [6378e] RD Nov 1907
20. X-49120: “Up To Date ‘Pops’ “ [6381e] RD Nov 1907
21. X-49121: “The Butterfly Polka” {Bendix} [6377e] RD Dec 1907
22. X-49122: “Favourite Moody & Sankey Hymns - organ concertina” [6383e] RD Dec 1907
23. X-49123: “Abide with Me” - and other hymns - organ concertina” [6384e] RD Dec 1907
24. X-49124: “Estudiantina Valse” {Waldteufel} [10227b] (recorded March-1907) RD Feb 1908
25. X-49125: “Dainty Dolly” [7410e] (recorded December 1907) RD Apr 1908
26. X-49126: “High School Cadets, March” {Sousa} [7408e] (recorded December 1907) RD Apr 1908
27. X-49127: “The Merry Widow” {Lehar} [7610e] (recorded Feb 1908) RD May 1908
28. X-49128: “Smoky Mokes, March” {Holzmann} [8071e] RD June 1908
29. X-49129: “Under Freedom's Banner” {Nowowieski} [8065e] RD July 1908
30. X-49130: “Lads of Scotland” [8069e] RD Aug 1908
31. X-49131: “Highland Schottische” [8067e] RD Sep 1908
32. X-49132: “The Darkies Holiday” {Burns} [9810b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD Oct 1908
33. X-49133: “Charleston Parade” {Dixon} [8064e] RD Nov 1908
34. X-49134: “Highland Fling” [9175e] (recorded 13 November 1908) RD Nov 1908
35. X-49135: “Eileen Alannah” {Thomas} [9181e] (recorded 13 November 1908) unissued
36. X-49136: “The Lost Chord” {Sullivan} [9312e] (recorded 16 Dec 1908) RD Feb 1909
37. X-49137: “Eileen Alannah” {Thomas} [9182e] (recorded 13 November 1908) RD Mar 1909
38. X-49138: “Under the Double Eagle, March” {Wagner} [9703e] (recorded 19 March 1909) RD June 1909
39. X-49139: “Austria, March” {Nowotny} [9706e] (recorded 19 March 1909) RD July 1909
40. X-49140: “The Follies, Polka” {Waldteufel} [9807b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD Sept 1909
41. X-49141: “I'm Afraid to go Home in the Dark”/ “Has anybody here seen Kelly?” {van Alstyne/ Murphy, Lener} [11087e] (recorded 14 Dec 1909) RD Mar 1910
42. X-49142: “Scottish Airs” [11336e] (recorded 25 Feb 1910) RD June 1910
43. X-49143: “Mister Blackman, Two-step” {Pryor} [11338e] (recorded 25 Feb1910) RD Nov 1910

III.2.2 Double-Sided Discs.

HMV established the Twin label as a separate company to produce double-sided discs in 1908, but amalgamated it with Zonophone in May 1911 to create the Zonophone-The Twin label. All the recordings in this list are either single sided Zonophone discs, unreleased recordings, or Prince recordings from the “Twin” label. The earliest Prince recordings on The Twin label were released under the alias George King.[15]

1. 45 (as George King) “Creole Belles” [7611e] (recorded ~Jan 1908) RD Oct. 1908. (c/w “Go as you please” Robert Foster, Bells solo)
2. 96 (as George King) “Dance of The Pierrots” [9177e] (recorded 13 Nov 1908) RD March 1909 (c/w “La Mattchiche March” Signor Mosé Tapiero, ocarina solo)
3. 129 (as George King) “Austrian Cadets” [9815b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD June 1909 (c/w “Return of The Regiment” Fred Turner (alias Olly Oakley) banjo)
4. 137 (as George King) “The Night Patrol” {de Brindt} [3577e] (recorded 16 Feb 1906) RD July 1909 (c/w “La Gran Via”, Signor Mosé Tapiero, ocarina)
5. 166: “On the Mississippi” {Morse} [9701e] (recorded 19 March 1909) RD Oct 1909 (C/W “Souvenir de Sorrento” Stroud Hatton - violin)
6. 178: “The Diadem” {Hermann}[8073e] (recorded ~April 1908) RD Nov 1909 (c/w “The Brooklet Polka” Mdlle. Edgar (alias Winnie Hudson) - piccolo)
7. 206: “Honest Toil” [{Rimmer} [9178e] (recorded 13 Nov 1908) RD Jan 1910 (C/W “Ye Banks and Braes” Robert Mackenzie - clarionet)
8. 285: “The War March of the Priests” {Mendelssohn} [1148e] (recorded 17 March 1910) RD Sept 1910 (C/W “Under the Double Eagle” Signor Tapiero – ocarina)
9. 450: “Hornpipe Medley” [9813b] / “Silver Heels” {Moret} [9811b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) RD May 1911
10. 451: “Abide with Me and Other Hymns” [6384e](recorded ~June 1907) / “The Lost Chord” {Sullivan} [9312e] (recorded 16 Dec 1908) RD May 1911
11. 452: “Estudiantina Waltz” (Waldteufel) [10277b] (recorded ~March 1907) /“Merry Widow Waltz” {Lehar} [7610e] (recorded ~Jan 1908) RD May 1911
12. 624: “Impudence” {Macay} [11079e] /“Poppies” {Moret} [11082e] (recorded 14 Dec 1909) RD Sept 1911
13. 861: “Administration March” {Sousa} [11083e] (recorded 14 Dec 1909) RD July 1912 (C/W ”Fun in Dahomey” - Mr. Olly Oakley - Banjo)
14. 927: “High Jinks” {Vierfert} [9180e] (recorded 13 Nov 1908) /“Pas de Quatre (skirt dance)” [3695e] (recorded 2 March 1906) RD Nov 1912
15. 1073: “The Darkies' Holiday” {Burns} [9810b] (recorded 18 Jan 1907) / “Charlestown Parade” [8064e] (recorded ~April 1908) RD July 1913

III.3 Zonophone Recordings on the Homochord label.

I can give no reason why the following recordings were attributed on the label to 'Walter Dale', an English system concertina player who recorded for Homochord. The only tie-up seems to be that Homochord records were pressed at this time by HMV. The recordings are of a duet concertina player, and the matrix numbers confirm that these are recordings from the previous two Zonophone listings for Prince.

   Homochord D1057 : “Administration March” [X49146 ] /”Honest Toil” {Rimmer} [9178e] RD c. 1928

IV. COLUMBIA GROUP (~1910 – 1928)

IV.1 Columbia/Columbia-Rena (c.1910 – 1915)

Columbia used the Columbia-Rena name on their ten inch double sided record labels from October 1910 to October 1915; the label name then reverted to “Columbia”.[16]

1. 466: 12 inch,”Waves of the Danube Waltz” [6408]/“Blue Danube Waltz” [6409]
2. 1449: ”With Sword and Lance March” {Starke} [27117]/“Under the Double Eagle March” {Wagner} [27118] RD Nov. 1910 [17]
3. 1480: ”De Merry Little Niggahs”{Bidgood} [27115]/“Charlestown Parade” [27116] RD Dec. 1910
4. 1500: ”España Waltz” {Waldteufel} [27119]/“To Thee Waltz” {Waldteufel} [27120] RD Jan 1911
5. 1813: “The Holy City” {Adams} [27882]/“Torchlight March” {Clark} [27883] RD Feb. 1912
6. 1864: “Belphegor March” {Brepsant} [27909]/ Punjabi March {Payne} [27884] RD Mar. 1912
7. 1886: “Hoch Hapsberg March” {Kral /“Unter den Linden” {Crosse} RD April 1912
8. 1899: ”Les Sirenes Waltz” {Waldteufel} [27981]/“Les Sourires Waltz”{Waldteufel} [28024] RD May 1912
9. 1913: “The Darkie’s Holiday” {Burns} [27974]/“Silver Heels” {Moret} [27980] RD July 1912
10. 1924: ”Hopscotch Scottische” {Rose} [27908]/“Thistledown” {Ostlere} [27979] RD Sept 1912
11. 1950: “The Green Isle of Erin” {Roekel}/“A Sprig of Shillalegh” RD October 1912
12. 1961: “Lads of Scotland” [28055]/Blue Bonnets Schottishe {Balfour} [28023] RD October 1912
13. 1990: “The Rosary” {Nevin} [28040}/“Ora Pro Nobis” {Piccolomini} [28056] RD Nov.1912
14. 2013: “Woodland Flowers” {Burns}[28171]/“Henry’s Barn Dance” {Henry} [28170] RD Dec. 1912
15. 2055: “I'm going back to Dixie”{Berlin}[28300]/“Alexander's Ragtime Band” {Berlin/Snyder} [28299]RD Feb 1913
16. 2081: “The Washington Post” {Sousa} [28173]/“The Stars and Stripes Forever” {Sousa} [28180] RD Mar 1913
17. 2106: “Impudence” {Macey} [28272]/“Les Papillons” {Hesse} [28179] RD April 1913
18. 2117: “Lumberin’ Luke” {28182}/“Mr Black Man” {Pryor} [28181] RD May 1913
19. 2139: “Catch me if you can” {Noel} [28301]/“Tout Passe” [28172] RD June 1913
20. 2158: “Lead Kindly Light” {Dykes}/“Onward, Christian Soldiers” {Sullivan} RD July 1913
21. 2170: “Under Freedom’s Flag” {Nowowieski} [28270]/“Bergsaglieri March” [28271] RD Aug 1913
22. 2205: “Abide with Me” {Monk} [28297]/“Lead Kindly Light” {Purday} [27904] RD Oct 1913
23. 2288: “National Emblem” {Bagley} [28736]/“The Liberty Bell” {Sousa} [28729] RD Jan 1914
24. 2316: “You Made Me Love You” {Monaco} [28734]/“The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine” {Carroll} [28649] RD Feb 1914
25. 2326: “On The Mississippi” {Carroll, Fields} [28727]/“Waiting For The Robert E Lee” {Muir} [28726] RD Feb 1914
26. 2348: “The Wedding Glide” {Hirsch} [28728]/“Goodbye Rose” {Ingraham} [28737] RD March 1914
27. 2361: ”Italian Tattoo” {Drescher} [28835]/“Administration March” [28834] RD April 1914
28. 2426: ”Il Bacio” {Arditi} [28832] / “Estudiantina Waltz” {Waldteufel} [28833] RD July 1914
29. 2437: “Jackanapes Polka” {Lowthian} [28837]/“Chicago Schottische” {Clifford} [28836] RD Sept 1914
30. 2450: “No Surrender” {Rimmer} [28997]/“Honest Toil” {Rimmer} [28973] RD October 1914
31. 2480: “It’s A Long Way To Tipperary” {Judge,Williams} [29203]/“La Marseillaise” {de l’Isle} [29204] RD Dec 1914
32. 2481: “Soldiers Of The King” {Stuart} [29202]/“Patriotic Airs” [29205] RD Dec 1914
33. 2543: “Medley Of War Songs” [29336]/“Medley Of Harry Lauder Songs” [29337] RD May 1915

IV.2 Regal (1914 – 1928)

Regal Records were Columbia’s ‘cheap label’, starting in January 1914. Many early records were re-releases of the Columbia recordings above, as can be seen from the matrix numbers. [18]

(G7002 – G7013 :RD Sept 1915)

1. G7002: “The Darkies’ Holiday Schottische”{Burns} [27974]/“Silver Heels” {Moret} [27980]
2. G7003: “Blue Bonnets Schottische”[28023/“Lads of Scotland March” {Balfour} [28055]
3. G7004: “Woodland Flowers”{Burns}[28171]/“Henry’s Barn Dance” {Henry} [28170]
4. G7005: “I'm Going Back To Dixie”{Berlin}[28299]/“Alexander's Ragtime Band” {Berlin/Snyder} [28299]
5. G7006: “National Emblem March”{Bagley}[28736]/“Liberty Bell March” {Sousa}[28739]
6. G7007: “You Made Me Love You”{Monaco}[28734]/“The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine”{Carroll}[28649]
7. G7008: “Waiting For The Robert E Lee” Muir}[28726]/“On The Mississippi” {Carroll,Fields}[28727]
8. G7009: “Jackanapes Polka” [28837]/“Chicago Schottische” {Clifford} [28836]
9. G7010: “Honest Toil March”{Rimmer}[28973]/“No Surrender March” {Rimmer}[28977]
10. G7011: “It’s A Long Long Way To Tipperary”{Judge,Williams}[29203]/“Le Marseillaise”{de l’ Lisle}[29204]
11. G7012: “Soldiers of The King”{Stuart}[29202] Patriotic Airs: (“includes Red,White and Blue,” “Death Of Nelson,” “Rule Britannia,” ”God Save The King”) [29205]
12. G7013: Medley of War Songs: (“Here We Are Again,” “Belgium Put The Kibosh On The Kaiser,” Sister Susie,””Jenny O’Morgan”) [29336] Harry Lauder Songs:(“I Love A Lassie,” “She’s Ma Daisy,” Roamin’ In The Gloamin’ ,” ”Wedding of Sandy McNab”
13. G7123: “Bluebells Of Scotland” [29338]/“Butterfly Polka” {Bendix} [28971] RD Oct 1915
14. G7162: “De Merry Little Niggahs”{Bidgood} [27115]/ “Charlestown Parade” [27116] RD Nov 1915
15. G7188: “The Rosary”{Nevin} [28040]/“Ora Pro Nobis” {Piccolomini} [28056] RD Dec 1915
16. G7233: “Lead Kindly Light”{Sandon,Purday}[27904]/“Abide With Me” {Monk}[28297] RD c.Mar 1916
17. G7289: “Bonne Bouche Polka”{Waldteufel}[28972]/“Les Folies Polka” {Waldteufel}[28999] RD June 1916
18. G7316: “Australia Will Be There”{Francis}[65388]/“Till The Boys Come Home”{Novello} [65387] RD July 1916
19. G7331: Popular Song Medley; RD Aug 1916
    Part 1 (“Great Big Wonderful Baby,” “ Kentucky Home,” “When I Leave The World Behind,” “Tennessee”) [65389]
    Part 2 (“Goodbye Virginia,” “Since Chumley Came Back,” “Piney Ridge,” “Are You From Dixie”) [65390]
20. G7332: Popular Song Medley; RD Aug 1916
    Part 3 (“Keep The Kettle Boiling,” “Joy Bells Ringing Down In Georgia,” “Pack Up Your Troubles,” “Mr Rubenstein”)[65391]
    Part 4 (“Bad As You Are,” “When You’re A Long Way From Home,” “Cassidy, V.C.,” “A Broken Doll”)[65392]
21. G7347:“Colonel Bogey March”{Alford} [65425]/“Prairie Flower March” {Ord Hume}[65414] RD Sept 1916
22. G7389: “Stars and Stripes Forever”{Sousa} [28180]/“Washington Post March” {Sousa}[28173] RD June 1917
23. G7410: “The Holy City”{Adams}[27882]/“Marche aux Flambeaux (Torchlight March)” {Clark}[27883] RD July/Aug 1917
24. G7435: “Destiny Waltz”{Baynes}[65426]/“Linwood March”{Ord Hume} [65413] RD Oct 1917
25. G7445: “Down Where the Swannee River Flows”{Von Tilzer}[69134] “Every Little While”{Tate}[69135] RD. Jan 1918
26. G7452: “Roses Of Picardy”{Wood}[69136]/“Love’s Garden Of Roses” {Wood}[69137]RD Dec 1919
27. G7453: “The Great Little Army”{Alford}[69133 /“The Call Of The Drum” {Godfrey}[69132] RD Dec 1919
28. G7472: “Concertina Medley,” Four Parts, Part 1 and 2. RD Mar 1920
    Part 1 (“You’re in Style,” “How ‘Ya Gonna Keep ‘Em?,” “N’Everything,” ‘California and You”)[69598]
    Part 2 (“Where The Blue-eyed Marys Grow,” “Why Didn’t You Tell Me?,” “Down in Virginia,” “When Love Peeps In”)[69597]
29. G7473:“Concertina Medley,” Four Parts, Part 3 and 4. RD Mar 1920
    Part 3 (“Hindustan,” “Wild Wild Women,” “Signora,” “In The Land of Yamo-Yamo”)[69623-2]
    Part 4 (“Paddy McGinty’s Goat,” “Give Me The Moonlight,” “Thuthie,” “Where There’s A Girl There’s A Boy”)[69624-2]
30. G7474: “Till We Meet Again Waltz” [69601]{Whiting}/“Missouri Waltz” [69602]{Eppel, Logan} RD Mar 1920
31. G7495: “Pussyfoot March”{Prince}[69694] / “Tony Spagoni Fox-Trot” {Gaskell}[69600] RD June 1920
32. G7512:“Spread Out, Lads, Two-Step”{Sale}[69625]/“Tam O’Shanter, Two-Step”{Barnard}[69626] RD July 1920
33. G7535: “Vive L’Amour Waltz”{Carr}[69627-1]/“Hong Kong Jazz One-Step” {Holstein-Saunders}[68630-2] RD Oct 1920
34. G7557: “The Favourite Regiment – March”{Ertl}[28998]/“March - On the Go (Le Frigant)”{Pares}[69693] RD Dec 1920
35. G7573: “The Lost Chord”{Sullivan}[69140]/“Nazareth”{Gounod}[69139] RD Jan 1921
36. G7617: “Geraldine Waltz”{Lodge}[69599]/“ Impudence Schottische” Macey} [28272] RD Apr 1921
37. G7645: “Lumberin’ Luke”[28182]/“Mr Black Man Two-Step”{Pryor}[28181] RD July 1921
38. G7654: “Belphegor March”{Brepsant}[27909]/“Punjaub March” {Payne} [27884] RD Sept 1921
39. G7666: “Bersaglieri March” [28271] / “Under Freedom's Flag” {Nowowieski} [28270] RD Nov 1921
40. G7748: “Catch Me If You Can” {Noel} [28301] / “Tout Passe Valse” [28172] RD May 1922
41. G7851:“One Step Medley” (“Ma,” “Wimmin”)[71914]/“Fox-Trot Medley” (“Uncle Sambo,” “Roaming”) [71915] RD Nov 1922
42. G7854: “Peggy O’Neil Waltz”{Pease; Nelson,Dodge}[71916] “Lincke’s Barn Dance”{Lincke}[71917] RD Dec 1922
43. G7888: “War March of The Priests”{Mendelssohn} [73080-2]/“Dance Romanesque”{Ord Hume} [73079-1] RD Feb 1923
44. G7919: “Fraternity March” [73081] {Moorhouse}/“Invincible March” {Rimmer} [73082] RD Apr 1923
45. G8009: “The Dawn Of Spring” In 2 Parts {Le Duc}Part 1:[73200]; Part 2:[73201-2] RD Oct 1923
46. G8044: “Concertina Medley” In 2 Parts. RD Dec 1923
    Part 1 (“Say It While Dancing,” “Shores of Minnetonka,” “Angelus,” “Nellie Kelly,” “I Love You” ) [A 293]
    Part 2 (“Granny's Song At Twilight,” “Hawaiian Rainbow,” “I'll Stand Beneath Your Window,” “Yes, We Have No Bananas”) [A 294]
47. G8108: “Kunnin' Kaffirs Cake Walk” {Rubena} [A 295]/“Silver Heels, Indian Intermezzo”{Moret} [73199] RD Feb 1924
48. G8124: “Garthowen March” {Elliot} [A 462]/“Freedom And Honour March” {Rowe} [A 461] RD Mar 1924
49. G8160: “Marche Caprice”{de Brandt} [A 713]/“Peaceful Henry - Ragtime Novelette” {Kelly} [A 714] RD June 1924
50. G8205: “Concertina Medley” In 2 Parts. RD Sept 1924
    Part 1 (“Gigolette,” “My Sweetie Went Away,” “A Smile Will Go A Long, Long Way,” “Horsey, Keep Your Tail Up” ) [A 957]
    Part 2 (“Pasadena,” “Shine,” “Twelve o'Clock At Night,” “Riviera Rose”) [A958]
51. G8214: “Eldorado Waltz” {Royle} [A 463]/“Toreador Waltz” {Royle} [A 715] RD Oct 1924
52. G8260: “Concertina Medley” In 2 Parts. RD Dec 1924
    Part 1 (“Dreamy Melody,” “Jog Along, Jasper,” “Linger Awhile,” “You've Got That Irish Way Wid Ye”) [A1187]
    Part 2 (“Honeymoon Chimes,” “Down On The Farm,” “Just For A While,” “Last Night On The Back Porch”) [A1188]
    NB. The record labels read Part 3 and Part 4.
53. G8282: “The Call, Military March” {Van Alstyn} [A 956] /“My Syrian Maid” {Rimmer} [A 955] RD Jan 1925
54. G8395: “Concertina Medley” In 2 Parts. RD July 1925
    Part 1 (“Somebody Loves Me,””Marcheta,” “What Do You Do Sunday Mary?,” “Wait a Bit Susie”) [A2029]
    Part 2 (“Follow the Swallow,” “All Alone,” “Hum a Little Tune,” “June Night”) [A2031]
55. G8467: “Concertina Medley” In 2 Parts. RD Dec 1925
    Part 1 (”Shanghai,” “Sally's Come Back,” “I'll Take Her Back,” “Oh How I Love My Darling”) [A2469]
    Part 2 (“Show Me The Way To Go Home,” “Oh Darling Do Say Yes,” “Do You Remember The Love Nest?,” ‘”I've Got A Real Daddy Now”) [A2468]
56. G8495: “No, No, Nanette - Concertina Medley” {Youmans} (includes “Tea For Two,” “Take A Little One-Step,” “I Want To Be Happy,” “Too Many Rings Around Rosie”) [A2466]
    “Rose Marie - Concertina Medley” {Friml} (includes “Rose Marie,” “Pretty Things,” “Totem Tom-Tom,” “Indian Love Call”) [A2467] RD Jan 1926
57. G8509: “1926 Song Hits--Concertina Medley” Parts I and 2. RD Feb 1926
    Part 1 (“Yearning,” “When You and I Were Seventeen,” “Oh How I Miss You To-Night,” “Who Takes Care of the Caretaker's Daughter ?”) [A4005]
    Part 2 (“Bouquet,” “Save Your Sorrow,” “Why Don't My Dreams Come True? ,” “Toy Drum Major”) [A4007]
58. G8510: “1926 Song Hits-Concertina Medley” Parts 3 and 4. RD Feb 1926
    Part 3 (“Honolulu Moon,” “Won't Go,” “Let Me Be The First To Kiss You Good Morning,” “I've Got A Feeling For Ophelia”) [A4008]
    Part 4 (“Alabamy Bound,” “If You Knew Susie,” “Ain't My Baby Grand ?”) [A4006]
59. G8722: “Christmas Concertina Selection”. Part 1 [A4240]/Part 2; [A4241] RD Dec 1926
60. G8731: “1927 Song Medley” RD Jan 1927 (“Chinese Moon,” “Honey Bunch,” “That Makes Me Love Her All The More,” “Let’s All Go To Mary’s House”) [WA4372-1] (“Lonesome And Sorry,” “That Night In Araby,” “Mariette,” “Mary Lou”) [WA4373-2]
61. G8732:“1927 Song Medley”. RD Jan 1927 (“What Can I Say After I Say I’m Sorry,” “What Good Is Good Morning?,” “Somebody’s Lonely,” “Sleepy-time Gal”) [WA4371-1](“Sleepy Head,” “I Don’t Care What You Used To Be,” “Am I Wasting My Time On You?,” “Speak”) [WA4374-1]
62. G8838: “Cavalry of Clouds March” {Alford} [WA5179-1]/ Thin Red Line, March” {Alford} [WA5178-1] RD June 1927
63. G8984: “Martial Moments” Two Parts {Arr. Winter} RD Dec 1927
    Part 1 (“Entry of the Gladiators,” “Punjaub,” “Belphegor,” “Sons of the Brave,” ”Colonel Bogey”) [WA6217-1]
    Part 2 (“Under the Double Eagle,” “Namur,” “Washington Post,” “Wellington,” “Great Little Army”) [WA6218-2]
64. G9009: “Faust - Valse” {Gounod} [WA6219-1]/“II Trovatore - Miserere” {Verdi} [WA6220-2] RD Jan 1928
65. G9083: “Concertina Medley” Two Parts RD May 1928
    Part 1 (”Charmaine,” ”Diane”) [WA6986-2]
    Part 2 (”Music And Moonlight,” “I'm Living On Love,” “A Red Roofed Chalet,” “By The Waterfall”) [WA6987-1]
66. G9123: “Concertina Medley” Two Parts RD July 1928 [19]
    Part 1 (“In A Street Of Chinese Lanterns,” “One Summer Night”) {Campbell, Connolly} [WA6988-2]
    Part 2 (“Ain't That A Grand And Glorious Feeling? ,” “Persian Rosebud,” “Little White House”) {Wright} [WA6989-1]

FOREIGN LABELS ISSUED IN GREAT BRITAIN

V.1 Pathé

Unlike all other disc recordings, where the groove reproduces sound by a side-to side movement, the earlier Pathé discs use an up-and-down movement, which made their records playable only on their own machines or specially adapted ones. Additionally these discs start from the centre, rather than the outer rim. All the Pathé recordings are believed to be transfers from Sterling “Special” cylinders. Numbers in square brackets in this section indicate catalogue numbers which are different for each side.[20]

V.1.1 Pathé 8.5 Inch Discs

Numbers 1393 to 1402 released Sept 1908, 1405 ca. Oct 1908

1. 1393: “Carnival Of Venice” [77364] / “Dancing With My Baby” [77365]
2. 1394: “Espana Waltz” [77367] / “Donauwellen Waltz” [77366]
3. 1395: “Welsh Melodies” [77382] / “Gay Girls Polka” [77368]
4. 1396: “Les Follies Polka” [77371] / ?
5. 1397: “Merry Little Niggers” [77373] / “Lads O’ Scotland [77372]
6. 1398: “On The Go” [77374] / “Petite Tonkinoise” [77375]
7. 1399: “Silver Heels” [77376] / “The Butterfly” [77377]
8. 1400: “Handicap March” [77379] / “Austrian Cadets” [77378]
9. 1401: “The Darkie’s Dream” [77380] / “Harry Lauder’s ‘Pops’” [77381]
10. 1402: “Words Of Love” [77383] / “Welsh Melodies” [77382]
11. 1405: “Les Folies, Polka” [77371] (C/W “Dresden Gavotte” Anon=Lillian Bryant, Bell Solo)

V.1.2 Pathé 10 Inch Discs

1. 8031 “Harry Lauder's Pops” [77381] / “The High School Cadets” [77384] RD Dec 1908
2. 8105 “Tout Passe Valse” [78804]/“Highland Schottische” [78805] RD Dec 1910
3. 8293 “The Blue Bells of Scotland”[78806]/“The Lost Chord” [78807] RD Jan 1911
4. 8294 “Honest Toil March”[78802]/“Italian Tattoo” [78803] RD Apr 1911

V.1.3 Pathé 11 Inch Discs

1. 874 “Merry Little Niggers” [77373]/“Lads O’ Scotland [77372] RD Oct 1908
2. 875 “On The Go” [77374] / “Petite Tonkinoise” [77375] RD Oct 1908
3. 876 “Silver Heels” [77376] / “The Butterfly” [77377] RD Feb 1909
4. 877 “Austrian Cadets” [77378] / “Handicap March” [77379] RD Feb 1909
5. 878 “The Darkie’s Dream” [77380] / “Harry Lauder’s ‘Pops’” [77381] RD Oct 1908
6. 879 “Welsh Melodies” [77382] / “Words Of Love” [77383] RD Oct 1908
7. 965 Artist listed as “George Hardy”; “Merry Little Niggers” [77373] / “Lads O’ Scotland [77372]

V.1.4 Pathé “Diamond” 10.5 Inch Discs

1. 046 “The Lost Chord”/“Honest Toil March” RD Jan 1915
2. 0138 “Tout Passe Valse”/“The Blue Bells of Scotland” RD Jun 1915
3. 0226 “Highland Schottische”/“Italian Tattoo” RD Nov 1915

V.1.5 Pathé “Rooster” 12 Inch Discs

1. 20267 “Lads O' Scotland” (C/W “Lucky Dog, Polka” R. Humphreys - Bell Solo) RD Nov 1917

V.1.6 Pathé “Actuelle” 10 Inch Discs

1. 10258 “Tout Passe Valse” [78804]/“Highland Schottische” [78805] RD Jul 1922

V.1.7 Pathé rim start 10 and 12 Inch Discs

1. 1057 10 inch “The Blue Bells of Scotland” [78806] (C/W “Down South” Boyton &anp; Boudini - Banjo and Accordion) RD Sep 1919
2. 1213 10 inch “Honest Toil March” [78802]/“Highland Schottische” [78805] RD ca. Jun 1920
3. 1366 10 inch “Tout Passe Valse” [78804]/“Honest Toil March” [78802] RD Aug 1921
4. 1665 10 inch “Highland Schottische” [78805]/“The Blue Bells of Scotland” [78806] RD ca. May 1923
5. 5743 12 inch “Lads O' Scotland” [77372] (C/W “Lucky Dog, Polka” R. Humphreys - Bell Solo) RD Apr 1923

NOTES

[1] I have purposely ignored all listings on the internet, as they are usually impossible to verify for country of issue. A large collection of record catalogues, including some used for this article, is available on-line in the British Library Sound Archive at sounds.bl.uk. Return

[2] For more details of Prince’s life, see Randall C. Merris “Dutch Daly: Comedy and Concertinas on the Variety Stage,” PICA 4 (2007): 17 (online at www.concertina.org; Stuart Eydmann: “The Life And Times Of The Concertina: The Adoption and Usage of a Novel Musical Instrument with Particular Reference to Scotland,” Ph.D. dissertation, Open University (1995), Chapter 7 (online at www.concertina.com) . Return

[3] From an unsigned interview with Prince titled “The Prince of Concertina Players: A Chat with Alexander the Great,” (Talking Machine News May 1906: 128-29 available on this site) . The interview mentions The Russell Hunting Company, which released cylinders under the Sterling label starting in mid 1905. Russell Hunting (1864-943) was an American-born “recording expert” who made the introductions heard on many early cylinder recordings, and was the performer on early “Casey” and “Cohen” comedy/caricature recordings. Another partner, and the General Manager of the firm, was New York-born Louis Sterling (1879-1958), formerly with British Zonophone and G&T, who also founded the Rena label in 1908. Columbia acquired Rena in November 1909, and began to issue 10-inch, double-sided records on the Columbia-Rena label in October 1910. Sterling became Columbia’s British Sales Manager, and eventually Managing Director of EMI, being knighted in 1937. Return

[4] On the advertisement of some discs released by Pathé in 1908, Prince wrote to the magazine “Phono Trader & Recorder” (December 1908):

I wish to deny through the columns of your paper an advertisement appearing in the December issue stating that I have made records for Pathé Frères. The only disc records made by me are published by the Gramophone and Zonophone Companies.

Quoted after Frank Andrews, Sydney H. Carter, and Leonard L. Watts, Sterling (Bournemouth: Talking Machine News, 1975), 48. Return

[5] “Discus” (a pseudonym), “Recording Pioneers” World Accordion Review 8.4 (April 1953): 25. Return

[6] An example of matrix numbers may be seen in the Columbia 1449 release with matrix numbers 27117 and 27118, and the Columbia 1480 release with matrix numbers 27115 and 27116; both recordings were made at the same recording session, with those on the latter record preceding those on the former at the session. Return

[7] This listing is derived from Sydney Carter , Edison Bell Cylinders, Part One (Bournemouth: Talking Machine Review, 1981), passim. Return

[8] On both Lambert companies, see Ray Phillips, “How Lambert Cylinders were Made,” Hillandale News: Journal of the City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, nos. 80 and 181 (June and August 1991): 227-241 and 259-267; and John S. Dales, “Lambert and Edison Bell Indestructibles,” Hillandale News: Journal of the City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, nos. 186 and 188 (August and October 1991): 40-46 and 116-121. The catalogue from which this listing has been derived is that for December 1904 and appears in Phillips, 232 - 41. Return

[9] These entries are based on Andrews, Carter, and Watts, Sterling, passim. Return

[10] The 12xxx series are from the 1910 Amberol catalogue, the 23xxx series from the 1920 catalogue, except 23055, which was listed in Sydney H. Carter: Blue Amberol Cylinders (Bournemouth: Talking Machine Review, n.d.),passim. Return

[11] The Winner listing is derived from Karlo Adrian and Arthur Badrock, Edison Bell Winner Records, 2nd ed.(Bournemouth: E. Bayly, 1989), passim. Return

[12] This listing is from the 1911 HMV Catalogue, although the catalogue numbers follow the earlier G&T numbering system. No listings for Prince appear in the 1913 HMV catalogue. Return

[13] G.C. 9147 was recorded on 14 December 1909 (see the database of the Centre for the History and Analysis of Recorded Music [CHARM], online at www.charm.rhul.ac.uk , and released in April 1910. The HMV New Records Leaflet for that month stated:

The snatches of the Russian Hymn, which form the prelude to this, are given with organ-like effect by this wonderful little instrument. This is followed by the Mazurka proper in the characteristic tones of the concertina, of which instrument Alex. Prince is a past master. ( Speed 81.)

Concerning the reference to “Speed 81”: early recordings were not necessarily recorded at a fixed 78 rpm, but with a whole range of difference speeds, including 81 rpm; for examples, see the HMV 1913 catalogue, online at http://sounds.bl.uk/File.aspx?item=029I-HMVGX1913XXX-0000A0.pdf. Return

[14] The Zonophone single-sided listing is derived from Frank Andrews and E. Bayly : The Zonophone (London: , The City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, 1999), passim. The list of double-sided recordings appears in the 1913-1914 catalogue, but no new recordings appear in later catalogues. Andrews and Bayly suggest that the name “Steve Bartell” was an alias for Prince; it is not (see Chris Algar, “Barbara Bartell and Her Golden Edeophone,” PICA 1 [2004]: 38). The double sided listing was updated after publication in PICA based on additional data obtained from Andrews, Hayes and Bailey : The Zonophone Record – Double Sided (London: , The City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, 2006), 2 Vols; passim. Return

[15] Of the recordings attributed to George King, Twin 45 has a matrix [7611e] immediately adjacent to Prince’s recording of “The Merry Widow” issued on single sided X-49127 with a matrix [7610e]; Twin 96 “Dance of The Pierrots” matrix [9177e] is adjacent to 206: “Honest Toil” [9178e]; Twin 129 “Austrian Cadets” [9815b] is adjacent to X-49116: “Parade March [9814b]; and Twin 137 “The Night Patrol” [3577e] is adjacent to X-49110: “Life in Vienna, Waltz” [3576e]. Return

[16] All data in this listing is derived from Columbia catalogues, supplemented by Frank Andrews, Columbia 10” Records 1904-30 (London: The City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, 1985), passim. Columbia 466 appears to be the only 12-inch disc released. Return

[17] Some Columbia (and Regal) recordings were re-recorded at later dates. For example 1449 was re-recorded acoustically on 18 September 1924 and electrically on 20 September 1926. This aspect of the recordings is beyond the scope of this discography. However,re-recordings can usually be identified by either an “R” after the record number, a matrix number commencing “A”, or a symbol of “w” in a circle indicating an electric recording. Return

[18] All data in this listing is derived from Regal catalogues, supplemented by Frank Andrews and Arthur Badrock, Regal Records 1914-32 (London: The City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society, 2009) passim. Return

[19] Prince’s last recordings were made on 20 February 1928. Return

[20] The Pathé listings are derived from Andrews, Carter, and Watts, Sterling, 49-55, supplemented by the English-language Pathé Standard Catalogue for 1911. Pathé 20267 is from the English-language catalogue for Pathé Rooster Disc (1917-1918). Return

[21]The Winner listings come from Badrock and Adrian Winner Records Return

[22] Updates and supplementary sources
Publications: (All by The City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society)
 Andrews and Dean-Myatt The Edison Bell Record Company
 Langridge Pathé In Britain (3 Volumes)
 Harrison The Ultimate Cylinder Handbook (2018 Edition)
Data:
 The Kelly On-line Database
Return

APPENDIX:

TITLES CITED

What follows constitutes a list of all the titles – organized in alphabetical order – cited in the discography. Each title is cited with its serial number, that is, the number under which it appeared in the body of the discography; the number consists of three parts: group number, sub-group number(s), and number within that sub-group, so that II.2.1 refers to the recording in the Edison-Bell group, sub-group 2 (Velvet face), item no. 1.

© wes williams June 2022.