condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white
discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

record, phonograph

human history
  • Other Name

    Edison Blue Amberol cylinder recordings (descriptive name)

  • Description

    Edison Blue Amberol cylinder records (x20)

    Label on one record has name of vendor: "...lker's phoneries. ...st., Auckland (3 doors from Wellesley St.) Phone 1693...phs, gramophones, records, musical instruments, repairs"

    records .5-.9 in blue case with lid; .10-.15 in orange case with lid; .16-.19 in orange case; .20 in dark blue case

    .1: I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen

    .2: Hawaiian Breezes

    .3: Holy, Holy! Lord, God Almighty

    .4: Whisper & I Shall Hear

    .5: Medley of War Songs

    .6: Once in Royal David's City

    .7: A Perfect Day Waltz

    8: The Garden of Flowers

    .9: Daddy Has a Sweetheart [etc]

    .10: Just Like Bein' at 'Hame

    .11: Uncle Josh Keeps House

    .12: Toreador of Mine

    .13: Virginia Reel Band

    .14: Abide With Me

    .15: There's a Long, Long, Trail

    .16: I'd Like to Take You Away

    .17: That Tumble-down shack in Athlone

    .18: Where the River Shannon Flows

    .19: Holly Brannigan (Old Irish Melody)

    .20: Annie Laurie

  • Place
  • Accession Number
    1966.2
  • Accession Date
    06 Jan 1966
  • Other Id

    col.0767 (colonial)

  • Department

Images and documents

Artefact

  • Credit Line
    Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 1966.2, col.0767
  • Primary Maker

     Edison Records (Recording company)

  • Place
  • Date
    1913-1929
  • Associated Notes

    Twenty Edison Blue Amberol cylinder phonograph records in original cardboard sleeves

    By 1913 the cylinder recording market was left to Edison. The disc had steadily grown in popularity with the consumer, thanks especially to the popular roster of Victor artists on disc. Edison refused to give up the cylinder, introducing instead the Blue Amberol Record, an unbreakable cylinder with what was arguably the best available sound on a recording at the time. The finer sound of the cylinder was partly due to the fact that a cylinder had constant surface speed from beginning to end in contrast to the inner groove distortion that occurred on discs when the surface speed slowed down. Partisans of Edison also argued that the vertical cut in the groove produced a superior sound to the lateral cut of Victor and other disc competitors. Cylinders, though, had truly peaked by this time, and even the superior sound of the Blue Amberols could not persuade the larger public to buy cylinders. Edison conceded to this reality in 1913 when he announced the manufacture of the Edison Disc Phonograph. The Edison Company did not desert its faithful cylinder customers, however, and continued to make Blue Amberol cylinders until the demise of the company in 1929, although most from 1915 on were dubbed from the Diamond Discs.

  • Media
  • Subject Category
  • Classification
  • Last Update
    15 May 2023
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity