78 RPM MOVIE THEATRE BALLYHOO RECORD FOR 1929 SHOWBOAT Cat. 130-P
$
150
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Description
I just found this one unpacking a box of records! Extremely rare Theatre Ballyhoo record for the 1929 Universal Picture "Showboat". This record was recorded and pressed by Columbia to play in the lobby of a movie theatre to promote Universal Studio's 1929 Showboat opening. The recording is inVG- (both sides) condition and is electrically recorded on the the smooth Columbia laminated surfaces. There are lam cracks which are a minor playing defect on side one, but, however, like all Columbia products, the record plays E with the usual pops and clicks, but no distortion or needle "steeling", regardless of it's VG- grading. The content features an excited Irving Kaufman (in carnival barker mode) talking about all of the stars and songs of the first (mostly silent) "talking and Singing Triumph" version of the 1929 Showboat, complete with lots of steamboat whistles and a calliope to play a bit of the many tunes. Side one and side two are different parts of the promotion. The label of side one carefully admonishing the theatre to PLAY THIS SIDE FIRST! The record is really a hoot, like most "ballyhoo" for motion pictures, nothing was spared to make you feel that you simply "couldn't possibly miss this movie"! "Right this way folks. Right this way!"
After thirty plus years of record collecting, I've NEVER seen such a recording. As with all such records, they were very disposable and pressed in small quantities, since they would be dated after the movie played the theatre. It's noting short of a miracle that one survives!
Again: Despite the graded condition of this record, I played it twice and was fascinated by the sounds and clarity of the recording process and, of course, the amazing content.
If you collect records like this, consider bidding on the "Victor Higher Fidelity" demonstration record currently up for auction. Two can ship for the same shipping fee!
This is part of a huge collection that I am trying to get posted on EBAY. Since there are now others posted from me, I will happy to combine orders to save shipping costs, since it costs very little more to ship six records as it does to ship one! Unless otherwise noted, records are shipped in plain manilla sleeves and shipped in heavy cardboard boxes with double pieces of cardboard top and bottom and the middle (if the the shipment is large enough) and packed with popcorn and/or bubble material.
Thanks for looking and hopefully, bidding!
Posted with eBay for iPad
