American Record Company disc #030940, from 1905, "Akahi, Elua, Akolu," announced
$
28
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
Up for bid is an unusual example of early phonograph record manufacture; it was issued by the American Record Company, featuring an American Indian on the label, and dates from approximately March of 1905. It features a spoken announcement at the start. The catalog number is 030940. artist is listed as the "Royal Hawaiian Troubadours," with the title in Hawaiian first as "AKAHI ELUA AKOLU" and the English translation below as "One Two Three." This is the earliest example of recorded Hawaiian music I have ever come across. The instrumentation sounds more like a string quartet with a ukulele added, as opposed to traditional Hawaiian instruments.
The record is 10 and 5/8 inches in diameter, and revolves at a speed far slower than the typical 78: the approximate speed of this record is 65 rpm. There are only a few scratches and scuffs, and no groove flaking or chips or cracks. It was played using a modern turntable and a 3-micron stylus: there is some groove noise in the beginning, partially obscuring the spoken announcement, but it quiets down within about a minute. Some minor greying of grooves in the louder parts is visible.
The record will be shipped between four layers of cardboard, a paper sleeve over the record to protect the grooves, and bubble-wrap around the cardboard assembly then sealed inside a sturdy cardboard box. I have shipped many records this way and have yet to have one break in shipment.
Ask me any questions you may have, look over the photos I have provided, think it over, then bid. Though I have described this record accurately, there is no warranty either expressed or implied: it is being sold "as-is." Thank you for your interest, and good luck bidding.
price rating
