Looking forward to Malvern 2018
All the speakers have been confirmed for the 2018 Malvern weekend from October 5th to 7th. As ever the weekend begins with the traditional chairman's welcome reception and the programme of speakers starts on Saturday morning with Simon Heighes and "Ghosts in the Machine" followed by John Banks talking about his life as a Westray record collector. After lunch, Howard Hope will be talking about the life and times of Thomas Edison's British agent, Colonel Gouraud and Bernie Brown rounds off the day's programme of talks with "Gaumont Symphony". The annual gala dinner takes place on the Saturday evening and the after-dinner speaker Ann Brown will be recounting "25 years a groupie"!
Sunday begins with the annual general meeting of the Society, followed by the Grand Auction. The Sunday afternoon entertainment this year is provided by the Jeanne Marlow Swing Trio.
Don't forget to contact Brian Oakley if you want to submit lots for the Auction - he can be reached at brian.e.oakley@btinternet.com . Typical entries include machines, ephemera, spare parts, records (disc and cylinder) and the Society takes only five percent buyers' and sellers' commission.
A record number of people have booked for the weekend -- at least fifteen more than any previous year and it means that some re-organisation of accommodation for events will take place. Watch this space! Although all two- and three-night packages are fully booked, day ticket availability can be checked with Dave Roberts at phonographs@btinternet.com
A look back at Malvern 2017 - together with photographs of the event - can be found further down this News Page.
Richard Taylor Bursary, 2018
The City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society (CLPGS) is the oldest society of its kind devoted to recorded sound, founded in 1919 with Thomas Edison as Patron. It supports and encourages scholarship and publication by individuals in the field of sound recordings, early talking machines, and audio preservation. The Richard Taylor Bursary programme is designed to fund specific eligible projects in this field, including discography, bibliography, historical studies of the sound recording industry and its products, company label research, the history of talking machines, developments of the technology and any other subject likely to increase the public's understanding and appreciation of the lasting importance of recorded sound. The CLPGS Richard Taylor Bursary grants are primarily (but not exclusively), designed to encourage applications from individuals whose research forms part of an academic programme at the master's or doctoral level. They could, for instance, help fund independent research and publishing projects.
Both CLPGS members and non-members are eligible to apply for grants of around £500. Grant funds can be used to underwrite clerical, travel, and editorial expenses. However, grants may not be used to purchase capital equipment or recordings, to create recordings (including field recordings), to perform operations on sound recordings, to reimburse applications for work already performed, or to support projects which form part of paid employment. In addition, grant recipients may submit documentation of any reasonable extra expenses for reimbursement; any such expenses must be claimed within eighteen months of the grant award. Grant recipients are required to submit articles about their projects for publication in the CLPGS Journal 'For the Record'.
Applications for a CLPGS Richard Taylor Bursary should include:
Both CLPGS members and non-members are eligible to apply for grants of around £500. Grant funds can be used to underwrite clerical, travel, and editorial expenses. However, grants may not be used to purchase capital equipment or recordings, to create recordings (including field recordings), to perform operations on sound recordings, to reimburse applications for work already performed, or to support projects which form part of paid employment. In addition, grant recipients may submit documentation of any reasonable extra expenses for reimbursement; any such expenses must be claimed within eighteen months of the grant award. Grant recipients are required to submit articles about their projects for publication in the CLPGS Journal 'For the Record'.
Applications for a CLPGS Richard Taylor Bursary should include:
- A summary of your project (one page maximum), with samples of the work attached if possible.
- An outline budget covering the entire project and highlighting the costs and expenses the CLPGS Richard Taylor Bursary will cover (one page maximum); please include a summary to indicate funds that have already been committed to this project and any proposals for funds that are pending, in each case giving the source (for instance, foundation name, location), the specific amount requested, and for what purpose.
- Your curriculum vitae.
- An indication of the prospects for publication or other public presentation of the project results.
The Society's Chairman - Richard Scott
Those members who attended the Society’s Annual Meeting at Malvern last year will know that Keith Harrison resigned as Chairman due to personal circumstances reducing the time he could devote to the position. I was subsequently elected at the meeting of the Board of Directors to succeed him and I am very pleased to accept the position. I will use every endeavour to justify the confidence shown in me and as Tim Wood-Woolley was also elected Vice Chairman at the meeting, you can be sure that I will be kept to the straight and narrow!
It is exactly 50 years since I first joined the Society as an ignorant youth surprised to find that there was an organisation for people who shared my new found enthusiasm for ‘old’ records and the machines that played them. Little did I realise that my chance encounter with West Midlands members Dennis Norton and John Dales would lead to the position I now have the honour to hold.
I am very fortunate to have made many firm friends through my membership, from whom I am constantly learning new and fascinating information about our hobby. The CLPGS is not only a respected learned body in its field, but it is also an enjoyable social forum for its members, new and established, and it is important that we strive to encourage both aspects. In the case of the latter, you will find participation in your local group functions very rewarding and the Directors will assist anyone wishing to establish a new group as well as helping existing groups with initiatives where we can.
This website continues to attract new members to the Society and we have just added a Blog feature. Please select the FORUM button on the Home Page and try it out as we hope that you will find it a helpful feature. An active blog will also help to increase our visibility as we endeavour to accelerate our growth in the important period leading up to our Centenary in 2019. Please feel free to contact me at rscott@clpgs.org.uk or on 07880 740508 with any queries, comments or ideas you may have at any time.
Richard Scott
It is exactly 50 years since I first joined the Society as an ignorant youth surprised to find that there was an organisation for people who shared my new found enthusiasm for ‘old’ records and the machines that played them. Little did I realise that my chance encounter with West Midlands members Dennis Norton and John Dales would lead to the position I now have the honour to hold.
I am very fortunate to have made many firm friends through my membership, from whom I am constantly learning new and fascinating information about our hobby. The CLPGS is not only a respected learned body in its field, but it is also an enjoyable social forum for its members, new and established, and it is important that we strive to encourage both aspects. In the case of the latter, you will find participation in your local group functions very rewarding and the Directors will assist anyone wishing to establish a new group as well as helping existing groups with initiatives where we can.
This website continues to attract new members to the Society and we have just added a Blog feature. Please select the FORUM button on the Home Page and try it out as we hope that you will find it a helpful feature. An active blog will also help to increase our visibility as we endeavour to accelerate our growth in the important period leading up to our Centenary in 2019. Please feel free to contact me at rscott@clpgs.org.uk or on 07880 740508 with any queries, comments or ideas you may have at any time.
Richard Scott
Reference Series - RS43: "1917 London Musicals and Revues"
The latest issue of our very popular Reference Series is now available. Priced at just £5.00 for CLPGS members (£6.00 for non-members) including postage and packing world wide, this is another in Dominic Combe's study of the British Musical and Revue scene during the early years of the last century. Any one who has purchased one of Dominic's works before will know to expect impressive research and rare photographs of the original casts and productions. As usual, a well-filled CD (79 minutes) accompanies the booklet with numerous original cast recordings.
Order and pay on-line at "Shop", "Reference Series" and scroll down to RS43.
Order and pay on-line at "Shop", "Reference Series" and scroll down to RS43.
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Looking back to Malvern 2017
Another great weekend event was held at the Abbey Hotel in Great Malvern from October 6th to the 8th.
At the welcoming wine reception on Friday it was announced that Simon Blumlein, the son of Alan Blumlein the inventor of, amongst other things, stereo recording, has honoured us by becoming one of the Society's Patrons. Simon revealed that he had also accepted a belated Grammy Award on behalf of his father for his work on stereo. Simon joins Oliver Berliner, grandson of Emile Berliner and Dave Roberts as the third patron of the Society.
Peter Adamson has also received an award from the ARSC for his series of articles in "For the Record" on the Gramophone Company's Maiden Lane recording rooms and offices.
The Saturday programme proper began with "Opera on Cylinder" by Tim Wood-Woolley, played on an Edison Concert Phonograph, followed by Klaus Joessel speaking on the "World Record Controller". This was the Heath Robinson-ish device invented by British eccentric Noel Pemberton Billing for extending the playing time of standard size records by creating a constant speed under the needle. Peter Adamson began Saturday afternoon with some "Feline Fun" being a celebration of cats both large and small on discs and on gramophones, followed by Bill Dean-Myatt sharing his expertise and experiences on researching record label histories. The after-dinner speaker was Eddie Dunn, who is well known to many collectors in the UK and provided an hilarious end to Saturdays proceedings with his "Work" on Record.
Sunday morning included the Society's Annual General Meeting followed at 11am by the Grand Auction with many bargains, particularly discs and cylinders being snapped up. After Sunday lunch, entertainment was provided by the Malvern Male Voice Choir.
Due to personal reasons, Keith Harrison has stepped down from Chairmanship of the Board and being "Master of Ceremonies" at the AGM weekend. His place as Chairman has been taken by Richard Scott supported by Tim Wood-Woolley as deputy Chairman. Yes, it takes two people to fill Keith's shoes!
The Society has changed its Bankers and the account is now held by The NatWest Bank Ltd. Full details of the new account and codes are shown on the Membership page. This will only affect those who pay by BACS, normal cheque and Paypal arrangements will be unchanged.
Here's a selection of photos from Malvern 2017...
At the welcoming wine reception on Friday it was announced that Simon Blumlein, the son of Alan Blumlein the inventor of, amongst other things, stereo recording, has honoured us by becoming one of the Society's Patrons. Simon revealed that he had also accepted a belated Grammy Award on behalf of his father for his work on stereo. Simon joins Oliver Berliner, grandson of Emile Berliner and Dave Roberts as the third patron of the Society.
Peter Adamson has also received an award from the ARSC for his series of articles in "For the Record" on the Gramophone Company's Maiden Lane recording rooms and offices.
The Saturday programme proper began with "Opera on Cylinder" by Tim Wood-Woolley, played on an Edison Concert Phonograph, followed by Klaus Joessel speaking on the "World Record Controller". This was the Heath Robinson-ish device invented by British eccentric Noel Pemberton Billing for extending the playing time of standard size records by creating a constant speed under the needle. Peter Adamson began Saturday afternoon with some "Feline Fun" being a celebration of cats both large and small on discs and on gramophones, followed by Bill Dean-Myatt sharing his expertise and experiences on researching record label histories. The after-dinner speaker was Eddie Dunn, who is well known to many collectors in the UK and provided an hilarious end to Saturdays proceedings with his "Work" on Record.
Sunday morning included the Society's Annual General Meeting followed at 11am by the Grand Auction with many bargains, particularly discs and cylinders being snapped up. After Sunday lunch, entertainment was provided by the Malvern Male Voice Choir.
Due to personal reasons, Keith Harrison has stepped down from Chairmanship of the Board and being "Master of Ceremonies" at the AGM weekend. His place as Chairman has been taken by Richard Scott supported by Tim Wood-Woolley as deputy Chairman. Yes, it takes two people to fill Keith's shoes!
The Society has changed its Bankers and the account is now held by The NatWest Bank Ltd. Full details of the new account and codes are shown on the Membership page. This will only affect those who pay by BACS, normal cheque and Paypal arrangements will be unchanged.
Here's a selection of photos from Malvern 2017...
Brentford Phonofair 8th April 2017
We held our third Phonofair and Joint Open Day at The Musical Museum in Brentford Middlesex on Saturday 8th April. Once again we were supported by many dealers and had 17 tables of records, cylinders, machines, accessories and associated ephemera together with society publications and Reference and Masters series on offer.
Certain members also assembled an impressive and varied display of machines in a ground floor gallery which prompted many questions and requests for demonstrations from those being given guided tours of the magnificent museum during the day. The Museum were very pleased to be able to expand the range of their tour and had also created a new display of their own gramophones and phonographs to coincide with the function.
Attendance from members was a little disappointing, although those who remembered the treasures they had found last year boosted the numbers of earlybird visitors, which was gratifying to the organisers and traders alike.
Our thanks go to all members who helped organise and run the day, including Bill Dudman who played a regular supply of music flowing from the Society’s EMG. All in all, this was another successful function which raised awareness of the CLPGS at the same time as giving members attending and new visitors from among the general public a very enjoyable day out at the UK’s pre-eminent mechanical music museum.
Certain members also assembled an impressive and varied display of machines in a ground floor gallery which prompted many questions and requests for demonstrations from those being given guided tours of the magnificent museum during the day. The Museum were very pleased to be able to expand the range of their tour and had also created a new display of their own gramophones and phonographs to coincide with the function.
Attendance from members was a little disappointing, although those who remembered the treasures they had found last year boosted the numbers of earlybird visitors, which was gratifying to the organisers and traders alike.
Our thanks go to all members who helped organise and run the day, including Bill Dudman who played a regular supply of music flowing from the Society’s EMG. All in all, this was another successful function which raised awareness of the CLPGS at the same time as giving members attending and new visitors from among the general public a very enjoyable day out at the UK’s pre-eminent mechanical music museum.
"MASTERS SERIES" CYLINDER RECORD RELEASES
The Society's two new four-minute indestructible cylinder releases in the acclaimed "Masters Series" collection are selling well.
The first is MS5: "O Soave Fanciulla", the Act I duet from Puccini's "La Boheme" sung by Adelina Agostinelli and Giovanni Parola.
Originally released in November 1909 on an Edison Wax Grand Opera Amberol No. B174/30010, this was never re-issued by Edison as a Blue Amberol and as far as is known this is the first time it has been issued in an indestructible format.
The second new issue is MS6: "La Mamma Morta" from Act III of Giordano's "Andrea Chenier" sung by Carmen Melis. Originally issued in August 1910 on Edison Wax Grand Opera Amberol No.40027, this also was never issued by Edison as a Blue Amberol and again this is the first time it has ever been released in an indestructible format.
For more information and to also hear these and the other cylinders in the Masters Series on YouTube, please follow the links on this website to "Shop" and then "Masters Series".
Meanwhile, remember the latest issues in the Society's "Reference Series".
The first is "A Concert Concert" - Reference Series, No. RS39 by Mike Field, now in stock. This must be one of the most comprehensive treatises published on those elusive Concert/Grand machines and cylinders. The accompanying CD includes a concert of rare Concert cylinders and high resolution pictures of all the machines.
The second new publication is "The Remarkable History of Pathé Cylinder Records" - No.RS40 by Dominic Combe, and is also available now. Dominic gave a talk on this subject at the 2015 CLPGS Conference. Included are details of the 34 tracks on the CD which accompanies the book.
To order, please go to the "Shop" page on this website and select "Reference Series"
The first is MS5: "O Soave Fanciulla", the Act I duet from Puccini's "La Boheme" sung by Adelina Agostinelli and Giovanni Parola.
Originally released in November 1909 on an Edison Wax Grand Opera Amberol No. B174/30010, this was never re-issued by Edison as a Blue Amberol and as far as is known this is the first time it has been issued in an indestructible format.
The second new issue is MS6: "La Mamma Morta" from Act III of Giordano's "Andrea Chenier" sung by Carmen Melis. Originally issued in August 1910 on Edison Wax Grand Opera Amberol No.40027, this also was never issued by Edison as a Blue Amberol and again this is the first time it has ever been released in an indestructible format.
For more information and to also hear these and the other cylinders in the Masters Series on YouTube, please follow the links on this website to "Shop" and then "Masters Series".
Meanwhile, remember the latest issues in the Society's "Reference Series".
The first is "A Concert Concert" - Reference Series, No. RS39 by Mike Field, now in stock. This must be one of the most comprehensive treatises published on those elusive Concert/Grand machines and cylinders. The accompanying CD includes a concert of rare Concert cylinders and high resolution pictures of all the machines.
The second new publication is "The Remarkable History of Pathé Cylinder Records" - No.RS40 by Dominic Combe, and is also available now. Dominic gave a talk on this subject at the 2015 CLPGS Conference. Included are details of the 34 tracks on the CD which accompanies the book.
To order, please go to the "Shop" page on this website and select "Reference Series"
FRANK ANDREWS
Noted discographer and researcher, Frank Andrews died in 2015, but many of his books, leaflets and other publications remain available.
Noted discographer and researcher, Frank Andrews died in 2015, but many of his books, leaflets and other publications remain available.
Click below to download a copy of Frank's bibliography.
| FRANK ANDREWS – A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY (revised 2nd. July 2015) |