His Masters Voice Archives

Record Label: Jan. 1914-Oct. 1926. Note the arch (“Batwing”) at the top of label. May be in blue, black, purple or red.

Victor Records (1901-1929; after which it is part of RCA)

Founded as Victor Talking Machine Company in 1901. The phrase “His Master’s Voice” appears on discs in 1902. Marketed a Victor Monarch Record label (1902-1905) and a De Luxe Label (1902-1905; a De Luxe Special Record that was 14in. was sold from 1902-1903) both would have the dog and gramophone logo. The Victor Monarch Label and the De Luxe Label would also be sold alongside a regular Victor Label or Victor Record Label. The first discs were one-sided and starting around 1908 Victor began to produce two-sided discs. Some early Victors from 1905-1913 will say around the rim “Awarded First Prize…” as Victor was awarded first place at expositions.

A Red Seal Record series (originally one-sided and then two-sided in 1921) would be introduced in 1903 and last till 1923 the design of the Red Seal record would mimic the regular label. The Red Seal series featured higher-end musicians such as Enrico Caruso and cost anywhere between $1-$7.50 which is much more expensive than the regular series records.

In 1929 the Victor Talking Machine was sold to Radio Corporation of America and would operate as RCA-Victor. RCA-Victor would produce budget labels like Timely Tunes(#1550-1600) produced between April 1931 and July 1931 and Electradisk (#1900-2510) produced between 1932-1934 for Woolworth Department Stores. However, the Bluebird label would be its best. In 1936, RCA-Victor would abandon the scrolled design. In 1942, RCA-Victor would introduce a 2-digit pre-fix for record series. In 1946 RCA would RCA on all the records making them RCA-Victor. By the late 1940s/early 1950s RCA-Victor would make the switch to 45s and Long Play (LP) discs.

Music Genres: Jazz, Blues, Classical, “rock and roll”, philharmonic, country/western music, sound recordings, dance

Pre-1941 Label:

Early Victor: 1905-1914 (records from 1908-1914 would feature the word “Patents” at the bottom).

Record Label: Early 1905-1908. Note “Grand Prize” in the center. Records from 1908-1914 would feature “Patents” dates/information listed at the bottom of the record. — Record Label: Early 1905-1908. Note “Grand Prize” in the center. Records from 1908-to 1914 would feature “Patents” dates/information listed at the bottom of the record.

Du Du (Old German Air) on Early Victor by George P Watson

Mid Victor: 1914-1926 the “Batwing” design. 1926-1936 the “Scrolled” design.

Record Label: Oct. 1926-Oct. 1936. Scrolled design. Note the absence of patent numbers and copyright warnings. See also the mention of “Orthophonic Recording” and the “VE” at the bottom/top. This means the recorded has been electrically recorded. May also be in blue, black, red, and maroon. — Record Label: Oct. 1926-Oct. 1936. Scrolled design. Note the absence of patent numbers and copyright warnings. See also the mention of “Orthophonic Recording” and the “VE” at the bottom/top. This means the record has been electrically recorded. May also be in blue, black, red, and maroon.

Late Victor: 1936-1946. Concentric Circles with the Victor title label.

Record Label: 1936-1946. Note “Circles” on edge of label. May be blue or purple, or red, or maroon, or orange. — Record Label: 1936-1946. Note “Circles” on edge of the label. May be blue or purple, red, maroon, or orange.

While not on a late Victor recording, Romance by the Victor Concert Orchestra:

Red Seal Label: 1903-1923

Record Label: 1903-1923. Red in color with the phrase Red Seal Record at the top.

1941-1945 Label: 1942 label with RCA-Victor.

Record Label: 1942. Note the 2-digit pre-fix for the record series and the lack of a scroll design. Note the colorization of the dog.

Listen to the Gooney Bird by Homer and Jethro, a pair of country musicians.

Post-WW2 Label: 1946

Record Label: 1946 as identified with RCA-Victor label. May be seen in blue (Bluebird Series), Red, Black, or Silver and Black. Note the circles on edge. — Record Label: 1946 as identified with RCA-Victor label. It may be seen in blue (Bluebird Series), Red, Black, or Silver and Black. Note the circles on the edge.

Timely Tunes Budget Label: April 1931 and July 1931

Electradisk Budget Label: 1932-1934

While not the name of the disk, here is Jim Harkins on Electradisk playing a song called Play Fiddle, Play.

Victor Numbers from start to 1945: 1-88000

Notes: None

Sources:
–Electradisk Discography
–Timely Tunes Discography
–http://majesticrecord.com/labelsvictor.htm
–http://www.mainspringpress.com/victor1.html
-Rust, Brian. The American Record Label Book. Arlington House Publishers, NY. 1978.
-Sutton, Nauck. American Record Labels and Companies: An Encyclopedia (1891-1943).Mainspring Press, CO.2000.