HISTORIC MASTERS. An ongoing series of vocal 78 reissues pressed directly from EMI metal parts. For information, contact: Roger Beardsley, Historic Masters Ltd., 16 Highfield Road, North Thoresby, Lincolnshire, DN36 5RT, England (U.K.). E-Mail: roger@beardsley75.freeserve.co.uk. Fax: +44- (0)7092 387408. SPECIAL NEWS! Historic Masters has issued a set containing 16 sides of the recordings of ADELINA PATTI, pressed from newly discovered original shells – with a further 5 sides from those shells to be issued in due course. Recently, a set containing all the 12” FRANCESCO TAMAGNO recordings was issued. This includes one disc thus far totally unknown (“Si, pel ciel” from OTELLO) and two selections never made available to the public in 78 format (Mapelli’s AVE MARIA and a creator aria from de Lara’s MESSALINE). In all cases the stampers used are from parts in a remarkable state of preservation, and I can assure you that you’ve never heard Patti and Tamagno sounding so realistic. These are limited, deluxe boxed editions. I recommend that all collectors secure these before they disappear.

CDs, BOOKs, LPs, 78s. If it is recorded or printed and of interest to collectors, NORBECK, PETERS & FORD are sure to have it in their huge stock. In addition to periodic lists featuring all important CD issues related to historical performances and the latest in books, they have an extensive inventory of LPs, 78s and out-of-print books on music and musicians. NORBECK, PETERS & FORD, 59 Congress Street, Saint Albans, VT, 05478-1611. Fax: 802-524-7685 (24 hours), Phone: 802-524-7673 (10 a.m.- 5 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday); E-Mail: norpete@sover.net ; Web Site: www.norpete.com. Their extensive catalogue features many CDs and books impossible to find elsewhere. They have my highest recommendation.

RECORD CLEANING SOLUTION. There is a company directly related to the cleaning of discs (all varieties of 78s as well as LPs). Their special “Miracle Record Cleaner” formula is designed to meet your needs, along with helpful equipment to complete the task. Contact: The Disc Doctor, Lagniappe Chemicals Ltd., P.O. Box 37066, St. Louis, MO 63141. Voice/Fax: 314-205-1388; e-mail: thedoctor@discdoc.com. Web Site: http://discdoc.com.

Among the leading dealers in MUSICAL AUTOGRAPHS AND PHOTOGRAPHS issuing catalogues I might point out: Roger Gross (15 West 81st St., NYC, NY, 10024, phone: 212-759-2894/fax: 212-838-5425). In addition to autographs, Mr. Gross often offers interesting books and programmes. Longtime autograph and photo collector Bill Ecker has established Harmonie Autographs and Music Inc. (445 E. 86th St., #141, NYC, NY 10028. E-Mail harmonieautog@aol.com), a source for interesting and often rare signed materials. He has quickly become among the world’s leading dealers. Noted author and reviewer Harold Bruder (500 West 56th St., Apt. 2506, New York City, NY 10019. Fax/phone 212-315-1909, E-Mail DELLAN580257058@aol.com) issues lists of early programs, photos, autographs, books and so on. La Scala Autographs (301 No. Harrison St., Box 900, Princeton, NJ, 08540; phone: 609-430-1111, fax: 609-430-2262) has been for years a leading source of autograph material. Long active in the autograph field is Joyce B. Muns (1162 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707. E-Mail: Jbmuns@aol.com). Her lists include a variety of music-related autograph material. Safka and Bareis Autographs (P.O. Box 886, Forest Hills, NY 11375, phone/fax: 718-263-2276) issue frequent lists which include musical artists as well as personalities in various facets of the arts. To add another Website sure to be of interest, I would suggest Tamino – Opera & Classical Music Memorabilia at Website www.operacollectors.com. They deal in in Opera, Classical Music, Ballet, Flamenco and Tango autographs, vintage programs, etc.

CD FANS. You know the rave reviews given Ward Marston for his transfers for various companies, notably Romophone and Naxos. His own company, Marston, has produced a number of CDs of exceptional collector interest (vocal, instrumental, and spoken word). Anyone desiring further information can view the Marston website (www.marstonrecords.com) or write directly to Marston, 412 N. Chester Road, Swarthmore, PA 19081. Their CD issues can be purchased directly or via Norbeck, Peters & Ford.

I’ve just been advised that a very few copies remain of the invaluable FONOTIPIA RECORDINGS – A CENTENNIAL SURVEY by Dr. Michael E. Henstock. Dr. Henstock’s huge volume (at an amazingly inexpensive £50) details all known information regarding Fonotipia published and unpublished recordings including notes from the original recording log books. This is certainly a volume that any collector of historic recordings must have. Unfortunately, the edition is limited to only 200 copies. For information, contact Dr. Michael Henstock, ‘Beaconsfield’, 30 Lynn Road, Magdalen, KING’S LYNN, Norfolk PE34 3AZ, England (e-mail: MEHThemos@aol.com). I’d suggest contacting him now to avoid disappointment.

OPERA BOOKS AND RELATED EPHEMERA are sold by Prof. Stanley Henig, 10 Yealand Drive, Lancaster LA1 4EW, England, U.K. via occasional sales lists. These include many rare and interesting items. For a free copy, contact Prof. Henig either via mail or e-mail SHenig@78rpm.fsnet.co.uk

MAINSPRING PRESS is the source for invaluable publications for collectors. The remarkable books by Dr. John R. Bolig document the Victor Red Seal acoustics, the Purple and Blue labels, as well as the Black Label (Volume 1 in this series covering the 16000-18000 series has just been issued). Other publications include The Edison Discography, 1926-29 by Raymond R. Wile and Allan Sutton’s American Stage Performers. I refer to one or another of the extraordinary useful Mainspring Press publications daily. I’d strongly suggest visiting their Website: www.mainspringpress.com. Mainspring Press, 9230 S. Buttonhill Court, Highlands Ranch, CO 80130-4421.

For RECORD CLEANING, there is none better than the Keith Monks record cleaning machine. Seth B. Winner Sound Studios (2055 Whalen Avenue, Merrick, NY, 11566-5320) is the exclusive U.S. distributor, both for the machines and spare parts. For information, contact Mr. Winner at the above address or via e-mail (SethBWinner@optonline.net), fax (516-771-0031) or voice (516-771-0028). Being one of the world's leaders in sound restoration, Mr. Winner would also be a likely person to contact for any work you might require in this area. He is able to bring back to life almost any ailing discs.

For collectors interested in CDs OF LIVE PERFORMANCES, I’d suggest contacting Keith Kurtzer (47 Woodland Drive, Califon, NJ, 07830). Mr. Kurtzer’s listings contain rare recital performances, complete operas and singer interviews.

VIDEO TREASURES. If you collect videos of great artists of the past, you'll certainly wish to investigate the DVDs, tapes and CDs issued by the BEL CANTO SOCIETY, INC. Their catalogue, fully illustrated, abounds with informative articles and invaluable information, as well as listings of their available video treasures. Prices are very reasonable (there are even occasional sales) and the product quality is excellent. Tapes are available to meet the PAL VHS or NTSC VHS standards. For a copy of their latest catalogue, contact: BEL CANTO SOCIETY, INC., Administrative Office, 11 Riverside Drive, New York City, NY 10023 (USA); Telephone (9 a.m. –5 p.m. NY time only) 1-800-347-5056; Fax: 1-212-877-2792.

ARSC (ASSOCIATION FOR RECORDED SOUND COLLECTIONS, INC.). This is the one major international organization for all private collectors, dealers, discographers, scholars, and archivists. Membership is $36. per calendar year, so those joining will receive all back issues of the Newsletter and Journal which have thus far been issued this year. In addition, there is an annual conference and, in some locations, local ARSC chapters. All in all, this is a group which should be of interest to all collectors. Membership can be secured via: Peter Shambarger, ARSC Executive Director, PO Box 543, Annapolis, MD 21404-0543. For collectors with Internet facilities, there is also an ARSC website: <http//www.arsc-audio.org>.

CATALOGUE OF INTEREST TO RECORD COLLECTORS. I'd like to suggest the PHONOPASSION catalogues produced by Andreas Schmauder, Im Bohrer 26, 79289 Horben, GERMANY. E-mail: phonopassion@t-online.de. Mr. Schmauder's occasional catalogues, very attractively presented and containing a variety of interesting and rare records, are sure to appeal to beginning and well advanced collectors alike. His website is www.phonopassion.de.

My mention of "Levik" in comments throughout the catalogue refers to The Levik Memoirs: An Opera Singer's Notes, translated from Russian by Edward Morgan and published by Symposium Records, 110 Derwent Avenue, East Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN4 8LZ, England. I'd recommend this as an invaluable information resource for those who are interested in Russian singers of (in general) the 1900-1916 period. Other extremely useful sources of singer data are the various Kutsch/Riemens biographical reference books, the most recent published by K. G. Saur in Munich, Germany.

I am extremely indebted to Gregor Benko, who continues to generously make available rare photographs and early magazines from which some of the photos in this catalogue are reproduced, and Roberto Marcocci, who has made available details on some of the more obscure singers. We all owe them a debt of gratitude.

Mikrokosmos Mail Order Co. has acquired the most important LP collection in private hands of performer-oriented recordings (specializing in violin, piano, chamber music and vocal). This unique collection, formerly belonging to well-known collector Donald R. Hodgman, contains hundreds of rarities that most collectors have never seen before. To receive free monthly catalogues that will list this 25,000-record collection over the next several years, please write to mikro@interlog.com or Mikrokosmos Mail Order Co., 314 Churchill Ave., Toronto, Ont., M2R 1E7, Canada.

Collectors involved in matrix research and discographies will find Alan Kelly’s CD Data Discs invaluable, containing various complete 7”, 10” and 12” HMV series listings (published, unpublished, dates, etc.) from the original files, as well as complete, updated electronic versions of his invaluable German and Italian hardcover books. The price per disc is extraordinarily low ($20, Euro 15 or £10, including air mail and packing), particularly considering that they offer a lifetime of work and research. Do contact Alan Kelly for complete details as to what’s available. These are a “must” for the researcher: 64 Alms Hill Road, Sheffield, S11 9RS, England. E-Mail: akark@dsl.pipex.com.

ON THE AIRWAVES (AND INTERNET)

EVENING AT THE OPERA is broadcast every Tuesday from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m., New York time. Host DOUG FOX presents topical programs and complete operas, often with collector and singer guests. On FM at 88.1, 90.1 and 91.5 from WMNR-FM, Monroe, CT, and on the internet at wmnr.org. The station’s website also lists other frequencies available in CT and NY State.

Holdridge Records
Mail: 54 East Lake Drive, Amityville, NY, 11701-3211 USA
Voice: 631 598 2409 • Fax: 631-691-5207
Email: larhold@bway.net

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