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Posted: |
Jul 26, 2017 - 10:49 PM
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By: |
Jim Doherty
(Member)
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An elderly friend asked me to see if these records might be worth something. She has three 3-inch-diameter 78 RPM records by The Andrews Sisters. They are on the Decca label and resemble 10-inch Decca 78s of the period, gold printing on a black label. Each one has "DECCA Personality Series - Reg. U.S. Pat. Off." printed above the center hole, and the name of the song, the artist and record number printed below the center hole. The three records are Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen (23605), I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time (23608) and Pennsylvania Polka (23609). Each record lasts only 30 - 35 seconds. Interestingly, the catalog numbers match those of the 10-inch mass-produced full-length records. However the recordings on the 3-inch records are totally different performances. The are NOT edits of the hit versions recorded with an orchestra. Instead they are 30-second condensed versions of the songs with the Andrews Sisters accompanied only by a solo piano.
What I want to know is "What are these tiny records and why do they exist?" Obviously, they were not made for widespread commercial distribution through record stores, or they wouldn't have the same catalog number as the full-length 10-inch 78 version (for instance, if a store ordered 20 copies of Decca 23605, would they get a 3-inch record or a 10-inch record?) My best guess is that these were made specifically to be played on some type of children's miniature toy phonograph, perhaps something that a child could pretend her doll might be playing records on.
My investigations online have uncovered next to nothing about these records. Someone on ebay sold a 3-inch Decca record like those I've mentioned (of The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B by The Andrews Sisters ((3598)), for around $200.00), but listed no background info about the record itself. Apparently they were as much in the dark as me. Another person had a 3-inch disc, once again in the Decca Personality series, of Russ Morgan doing Does Your Heart Beat for Me (25080). SO, it seems a pattern is forming, that, for whatever reason these records were made, they were made through a deal with Decca Records to harvest some of their artists to make these new miniature renditions.
So, does anyone out there know any Andrews Sisters devotees who might know what these records are? Does anyone know any collectors of obscure physical recorded media that might know about these 3-inch discs? Does anyone know an antiquarian who might be able to validate my children's phonograph idea?
The lack of info on the internet has only made me want to REALLY find out the history of these discs.
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