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Children's...from
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One of the most well known issues was a series of 14 "Bubble
Books" produced by Harper-Columbia between 1917 and 1922.
It was one of the earliest series of records in the USA devoted
to the children's market. Each release consisted of sleeves for
three small (5 ½") one-sided records bound into a
small book. Each record sleeve included beautiful line drawings
in full color, along with several pages devoted to the story and
lyrics. These "books with records" are highly collectible
by both record and antiquarian book collectors. Other children's
record manufacturers of the era included Little Tots (Columbia),
Cameo Kids, Youngster Grey Gull, Lindstrom, Emerson, Talkie-Jektor,
Durotone, Nic, LaVelle Bobolink (records in a book), Talking Books,
Kiddie Rekords, and Pictorial Records (the first "picture
discs"). Some of these series (e.g. Talkie-Jektor, Nic, and
Durotone) came with a toy projector and filmstrips, which were
synchronized with the record being played. A popular series called
"Little Wonder" manufactured by Columbia Graphaphone
Company was founded in 1914 and issued over one thousand small
(5½") one-sided records over the next nine years.
The records were sold for 10 cents in Woolworth's and other five
and dime stores. Despite appearances, Little Wonder was not primarily
a children's record (e.g. the label of some of the later issues
had a picture of a baton-wielding infant. With the exception of
about 40 records of nursery rhymes and folk songs for kids, they
were aimed at the adult market. This becomes obvious when one
reads the song titles.) |
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 Most
of the above listed series are quite uncommon, but because there
is no established collector's market for them, the costs are not
high-usually under $4 for a single record, and up to $100 or more
for complete books with matching records in very nice shape. One
of the most unusual and beautiful series was the Talking Books
series (1918-19). With a few exceptions, they are not actually
books, but 4 1/8" records, which are riveted to the face
of a die-cut card that is several inches larger than the record.
The backing is a cutout shape, roughly in the form of the subject
of the record, usually an animal or generic children's doll theme.
Some of the issues are: "I Am a Parrot", The Mocking
Bird", "The Fox". There are also some WW 1 subjects,
a Mother Goose, and a  "tired"
baby. Unlike most generic kiddie records, this series commands
high prices in auctions, often reaching $75 to $300 and more in
excellent condition. The end of this period saw the introduction
of extended kiddie series (a.k.a. "youth", "juvenile")
by some of the major labels. RCA's budget line, Bluebird, issued
its first large kiddie series from 1937 to 1942. It consisted
of 119 records in 52 sets. Each set came in an illustrated "envelope"
and/or box. Decca (beginning 1939), Columbia (1939) and RCA Victor |
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(1944) turned out significant children's series,
which continued into the mid- to late 1950's on 78-rpm. These
series continued to be issued on 45s and LPs throughout the
1960's into the 70s. It should be noted that prior to the launching
of the  "youth"
series mentioned above, all of the major record companies and
many minor ones issued single children's records that were part
of their total inventory.
The "Golden Age" of Kiddie 78-rpm
Records: 1946-1956
The 1940's brought in a number of major innovations in the production
of kiddie records that allowed their sales to soar to astronomical
heights as compared with earlier years. The first and most important
was the introduction of vinyl ("non-breakable") records.
Earlier
Kiddie
Rekord King Links
Platterpus
Records Platterpus Records provides an online catalog
for purchasing collectible vinyl records, including LP's,12
inch singles, 45's, and CD's from artists of all eras.
Mystery
Train This site specializes in rare and collectible
recordings on vinyl, and has thousands of them available
for sale on their web site.
Talkin'
'bout Tot Music A conversation with kiddie record fan,
joe jack talcum.
Tim
Gracyk's Home Page Tim's Articles About Phonographs
and Old Records.
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produced records were,
for the most part, made of brittle shellac. Vinyl records were
almost unbreakable. Secondly, the records themselves were often
made of brightly colored materials and were packaged in beautifully
designed, vividly colored sleeves and album covers. Thirdly, the
availability of small and  inexpensive
"kiddie" record players became widespread. All of these
factors combined to encourage parents to buy records for the kids,
knowing that they would stand up to the rough handling and abuse
that would surely come to pass and that the children would be
attracted to them. In addition to the physical attributes mentioned
above, the creation and production of the songs and stories were
done, in many cases, at great expense and specifically for the
record being released. Prior to approximately 1953, record companies
did not have to compete with television for the attention of the
children with respect to entertainment. Therefore, they competed
with one another in their productions to get market share. Most
major companies hired (sometimes exclusively) the talents of famous
actors and singers. Many famous personalities produced some or
many kiddie records (Dennis Day, Gene Kelly, Gene Autry, Patti
Page and Bing Crosby, to name a few). Others produced only one
or two (e.g. Groucho Marx, Jimmy Stewart, Ingrid Bergman and Lionel
Barrymore). The end of the 1940's saw a proliferation |
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of companies producing seemingly countless series of kiddie records.
Some of the larger producers started releasing the more popular
records e.g. Christmas carols, fairy tales, bestsellers) as parallel
issues in both 78 and 45rpm formats in the early 1950's. The cover
artwork was usually identical in both. Eventually after 78s were
phased out entirely, the 45's continued to be released into the
1980's until they were phased out in favor of CD's and cassettes.
One of the most famous children's series from this era was launched
in 1948. Golden Records, a part Simon & Schuster, publisher
of the famous "Little Golden Books",  started
issuing small (6"), almost indestructible yellow plastic
records. This series was an immediate hit with both parents and
kids. They were available at almost any grocery market for 25
cents. Most of the first issues were musical story renditions
of Little Golden Books. The child  could
read the book and follow along with the record. The series continued
well into the1960's and to this day remains as probably the largest
of all kiddie record sets. RCA Victor's youth series that began
in 1944 became known as the famous "Little Nipper" series
in 1950.
Turn to Childrens...page
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A Big Book about Phonographs--
by: Tim Gracyk
A New book reviewed by Tim as having
New history of Victrolas and other vintage machines. 244 pages,
spiral binding, unique! Subtitled "Original Articles &
Rare Talking Machine Advertisements." It compiles newly-written
articles from experts (R. J. Wakeman, Ron Pendergraft, David
Spanovich and others who had contributed regularly to Victrola
and 78 Journal) and rare visuals from elusive trade journals
such as Talking Machine World as well as Voice of the Victor,
which was the house organ of the Victor Talking Machine Company.
Articles cover Victor's Orthophonic machines ("Victor's
Orthophonic Credenza--the King of Machines?"), the portable
(or suitcase-like) machines that were made by various companies
from 1921 to 1926 ("A History of America's Portable Talking
Machines"), the different types of phonograph needles (steel,
Tungs-tone, fibre, cactus), how to restore Victrola cabinets
(good discussion of HOW to apply lemon oil to make a cabinet
shine again), off-brand phonographs introduced from 1917 through
1922 (nice illustrations!), much more. Articles from The Voice
of the Victor include "The New Victrola XVII" (December
1916). Information about reproducers (Victor called them "sound
boxes"). You'll learn about machines made by Victor, Columbia,
Edison, Brunswick, Cheney, Artophone, Trumpetone Company (soundbox
looks like a trumpet!), Sonora, Cathedral Phonograph,
Turn to Big Book...page
11
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