Japanese phonograph record collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Japanese phonograph record collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

Japanese phonograph record collection, C0141, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries

Summary

Extent:
0.25 linear feet (1 box)
Creator:
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections & Archives
Abstract:
The Japanese phonograph record collection contains 15 78 rpm phonograph records mostly in sleeves with Japanese writing. The records were either printed in the United States or Japan for the Japanese music market, and released by Columbia, Ploydor, Victor, Orient Records and Regal.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Japanese phonograph record collection, C0141, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries

Background

Scope and content:

The Japanese phonograph record collection contains 15 78 rpm phonograph records produced for sale in Japan. The collection also includes original record sleeves and printed material packaged with the record. The records in this collection were released by: Columbia, Regal, Victor, Ploydor and Orient Records. The records could have been released by the American division of these labels for export, or by there Japanese branches. The design of the labels present on the discs indicated that these records were released in the late 1920s through early 1930s. The records have been recorded with the new "electric" recording process, which was introduced to the music industry in 1925.

The song title and artist name are printed in Japanese with only the record company name printed in English. As of now the records remain unidentified.

Biographical / historical:

The records in this collection are early examples of "electrical" recordings. Prior to 1925 recordings were made acoustically with singers and musicians playing into a horn. Electrical recording introduced the microphone which could pick up a larger range of sound and tone. Record companies developed specific names for this new recording process. The Victor Talking Machine company dubbed the new electric records as Othrophonic Records; Columbia produced "viva-tonal" records. The records in this collection are labeled as such.

A product of Nipponophone, Orient was acquired by Columbia in 1925

Acquisition information:
Donor unknown.
Processing information:

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff.

Arrangement:

Organized into five series.

  1. Series 1: Columbia, circa 1928 (Box 1)
  2. Series 2: Victor, circa 1927-1932 (Box 1)
  3. Series 3: Orient, circa 1928 (Box 1)
  4. Series 4: Ploydor, circa 1925-1932 (Box 1)
  5. Series 5: Columbia Regal, circa 1925-1932 (Box 1)
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard