CBS Alexander Woollcott The Town Crier 16" (2) Transcription Disc set 12/27/35

$

75

"Hear ye, hear ye!"
CBS Presents Alexander Woollcott - The Town Crier
16" (2) Transcription Disc set 12/27/35 ~RARE~

Up for your consideration is a 2 Transcription Disc set of Alexander Woollcott's "The Town Crier",
presented by Columbia Broadcasting System and recorded by Jean V. Grombach, Inc.

According to Alexander Woollcott's wikipedia page: "'The Town Crier' opened with the ringing of a bell and the cry, "Hear ye, hear ye!", followed by Woollcott's literary observations punctuated with acidic anecdotes. Sponsored by Cream of Wheat (1934–35) and Grainger Tobacco (1937–38), it continued until January 6, 1938. He had no reservations about using this forum to promote his own books, and the continual mentions of his book While Rome Burns (1934) made it a bestseller."

According to one source, Alexander Woollcott criticized Adolph Hitler on "The Town Crier", in 1935. Cream-of-Wheat, the show's sponsor objected at first. This led to the cancellation of their sponsorship of "The Town Crier". Interesting tidbit of history. Perhaps, his criticisms are on the grooves of one or both of the transcription discs offered as part of this auction.

Based on the information on the discs, the episode that aired on 12/27/1935 was split between two discs. One disc contains part 1 on one side and the other side lacks grooves/labeling. The other disc contains part 2 on one side and the other side lacks grooves/labeling.

The Transcription Discs are 16" in diameter, playing speed is unknown, and the discs should be started outside.

My research has led me to believe that "The Town Crier" first aired either in 1929 or in 1933 (July 21st, according to one source). Also according to my research, "The Town Crier" last aired either in 1938 (January 6, according to one source) or 1942.
 
"The Town Crier" is a lost treasure of old time radio. Though it is mentioned, discussed, and available for listening on many sites, very few programs can be found from extensive online searching. I can count them on one hand, a very small proportion of the hundreds produced.  The source transcription discs are not for sale.

For condition information please see below and images:

The transcription discs are in pretty decent condition. Each disc has a rubbing on the front side. Each disc also has a few dents or areas where the black material is worn away on the "edge" of the disc. Each label has the same unusual type of wear. It looks terrible but does not obscure the text if you look closely. Please see the pictures for the exact nature of the wear/damage. The part 1 disc has a small scratch on the back side, the underlying aluminum is visible. However, as previously said, the back side has no grooves/labeling/content. The same side/disc also has some white substance on the surface in one area. I have read that this substance can damage the sound quality. Though, I imagine it would need to be on the grooves themselves, to cause any damage to the sound quality. Without any content/grooves on that side, this substance did not damage the sound quality of the discs content.

The paper sleeves are in decent to poor condition. Please see pictures. Commercial records for consumers come with original (usually lithographic) sleeves. Transcription discs are not for consumers and therefore, they do not require nor are they sold with lithographic sleeves. So, we feel that the sleeve condition is a minor point in assessing each  disc.
 
The disc was acquired from a public University,
which we are commissioned to sell for.

*Please bear in mind that we are not condition experts,
please refer to the pictures provided to judge for yourself

As we are unable to test 16 inch discs, these discs are being sold As Is.

**For questions, please contact us before bidding

~ "Hear ye, hear ye!": If you are or someone close to you is a Alexander Woollcott fan, Transcription disc collector, fan of literary commentary on works from the 1930's or for some other reason would like this transcription disc of Alexander Woollcott's The Town Crier, I invite you to bid.~

With that said, good luck with your bidding.  

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