Saturday, January 17, 2009

Echo All Over The World


Echo All Over The World, originally uploaded by Colonel Blink.

A small selection of phonograph cylinder boxes, (labels from left to right) Pathe; Columbia; Pioneer; The International Indestructible Record Company; Edison Amberol; Edison Blue Amberol; Edison; Edison Gold Moulded. There is also a shop sales card for Sailing In My Balloon by Miss Florry Cooper. Echo All Over The World was a sales slogan for the Edison Bell company.

Although none of the above were manufactured in Norfolk this photograph still earns a place in my flickr set called Formerly Made In Norfolk because they represent a mystery about a long forgotten Norwich business.

When the phonograph first came to Britain in the late 19th Century only three companies were licensed to produce cylinders: Edison, Columbia and Red Star of Red Lion Street Norwich. The company was variously called Red Star and Norwich Star and I have never seen a phonograph cylinder or met anyone who has seen a phonograph cylinder produced by them. Except for their presence on a couple of lists of recordings, absolutely nothing is known of this pioneering Norfolk company.

This is obviously a call for information. If you can fill in the blank spaces please contact me.

I must acknowledge the help of Mr Edward Murray-Harvey and the late Douglas FitzPatrick for what little information I have.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Tin Lid


Tin Lid, originally uploaded by Colonel Blink.

..............When she had to retire from her position as cook at the "big house" she discovered that she could not survive on her savings. Nevertheless his Lordship and his family always looked out for her when they visited the workhouse on Boxing Day and made sure they had sorted out some special treat "just for her".

..............Members of her family carried on the tradition though as can be seen below
Her New ApplianceAngel in the kitchen