Edison Bell Bell Disc

Biography - Edison Bell Bell Disc

UK

Produced June 1908 to January 1913.
See also Edison Bell

Edison Bell 'Bell Discs' were produced between June 1908 and January 1913.

The Edison Bell Phonograph Corporation was founded in 1892 and acquired phonograph patents which should have given the company a 10 year UK monopoly of the Talking Machine trade. However, Edison Bell did not exploit this fully and rival companies (including James E. Hough and his London Cylinder Co.) quickly began trading.

Edison Bell tried to stop Hough, but Hough made a deal with them, the result being Hough's new company ‘Edisonia’, formed in mid 1897. The disputes between Edison Bell and Hough continued, and in 1898 Hough lost in court. Edison Bell and Edisonia were then incorporated to form the Edison Bell Consolidated Phonograph Co, but Hough managed to emerge as the General Sales Manager of this new company, which kept overall control of the cylinder market until 1902 when its patents expired.

In 1903 a manufacturing site was set up at Peckham,London to produce cylinder records and players.

In 1904, Edison established its own European arm, and Edison-Bell lost its distribution rights to Edison cylinders. By this time however, Edison Bell had become one of the three major UK cylinder record producers, along with Pathe and the National Phonograph Co.

In 1908 Edison Bell acquired the rival 'Sterling' cylinder manufacturer, and also produced their first flat discs named Bell Disc . These were slightly over 10" in their earliest form, and started at No.1. They continued to be produced, along with cylinders, until 1912. Around 500 Bell Discs were issued and an extensive listing may be found at Michael Thomas's site. Two styles of labels seem to have been used, with the green label appearing on later issues.

In 1909 Edison Bell went into bankruptcy. This seems to have been only technical, since the firm continued to trade and was acquired outright by Hough acting under the name J.E. Hough. Ltd.

The Edison Bell Velvet Face label was first issued in September 1910 as an improved version of the Bell Disc.

Dating

1908: 1 to 101
1909: 102 to 138
1910: 139 to 230
1911: 231 to 376
1912: 377 to 506
1913:507 to 509

From Grace's Guide
Edison Bell of 39 Charing Cross Road, London

James Hough, originally a British importer of American cylinder phonographs in the 1890's used the brand Edison Bell for machines and records which he began to manufacture at his own works in Peckham, London. In an industry dominated by American offshoots, Edison Bell flew the flag as a thoroughly British firm with fine no-gimmicks products inspiring brand loyalty among discerning buyers to the present day.

1901 The Edison Bell Consolidated Phonograph Co was registered on 3 December, in reconstruction of exactly similar title, to acquire certain patent rights. ( The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908 )

1914 Makers of gramophone records. Employees 160. ( 1914 Whitakers Red Book)

1929 Listed Exhibitor - additional late entry. Manufacturers of Wireless Receiving Apparatus, and Component Parts of all kinds. (Stand No. MM.47) 1929 British Industries Fair Pink Insert Page 3

According to Eddie Shaw's discography of this label, cat# 1 to 400+ were 10¼".

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