I was actually trying to find some information about "My Daddy" a few days ago, as I'd never heard of the song and therefore found it strange that it would be charting. I very nearly concluded it didn't exist, until I came across the following record by the London Piano-Accordeon Band: (https://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/g24277), which is titled "My Daddy" and has composer credits to Box, Cox and Pelosi (presumably Don Pelosi). There was a corresponding UK release (RZ MR-3251) that was mentioned in The Gramophone April 1940 issue, which is consistent with the Phyllis Robins version apparently charting in May.

I couldn't find any other versions though, and I still find it strange that Phyllis Robins would have recorded such an obscure tune - her other records seem to suggest she confined herself to the big hits of the day. I do wonder if the Missing Charts book has got it wrong, and the title should be "My Heart Belongs To Daddy", although then again May would be a little late for a version of that tune.

I was actually trying to find some information about "My Daddy" a few days ago, as I'd never heard of the song and therefore found it strange that it would be charting. I very nearly concluded it didn't exist, until I came across the following record by the London Piano-Accordeon Band: (https://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/g24277), which is titled "My Daddy" and has composer credits to Box, Cox and Pelosi (presumably Don Pelosi). There was a corresponding UK release (RZ MR-3251) that was mentioned in The Gramophone April 1940 issue, which is consistent with the Phyllis Robins version apparently charting in May.

I couldn't find any other versions though, and I still find it strange that Phyllis Robins would have recorded such an obscure tune - her other records seem to suggest she confined herself to the big hits of the day. I do wonder if the Missing Charts book has got it wrong, and the title should be "My Heart Belongs To Daddy", although then again May would be a little late for a version of that tune.

Have you had any progress with the British Library?

It is the cost that is making me delay as it is high....The library say their operatives are costed by the hour and the receipt could run to up to £300+ which as a pensioner is far above my budget

It is the cost that is making me delay as it is high....The library say their operatives are costed by the hour and the receipt could run to up to £300+ which as a pensioner is far above my budget

That's a shame. That cost is ridiculous in my opinion. How long does it take to find and transfer a 78, assuming they're used to doing it? And if indeed it's the operative time you're paying for, then you'd think there'd be a significant discount if you wanted multiple transfers.

I suppose you'll just have to keep finding new people to ask. Given its absence from your list, I assume you managed to get a transfer of Phyllis Robins - Goodnight Children Everywhere. I also think I saw a copy of FB3245 Turner Layton - "Down in the Valley" in a charity shop in Dundee a few weeks ago. It was badly warped, however, so I didn't buy it. I'll see if it's still there when I'm next over, although I can't guarantee it would play!

By the way, Beryl Davis - Dreaming is indeed the correct catalogue number (F 7472). It's listed in my copy of the 1941 Decca catalogue, with "Walkin' Thru' Mockin' Bird Lane" on the other side.

That's a shame. That cost is ridiculous in my opinion. How long does it take to find and transfer a 78, assuming they're used to doing it? And if indeed it's the operative time you're paying for, then you'd think there'd be a significant discount if you wanted multiple transfers.

Yes, but if Mike wants 24 sides transferring, the cost works out at £12.50 a side if the total is £300 (for example). I agree it isn’t cheap, but the options are limited. King’s College will charge more.

Mike, how long have you actually been looking? The missing charts book has only been out ten years, so it can’t be any longer.

I guess what this highlights is the absurd scarcity of some mass-produced records from the 78 rpm era. They haven’t been reissued on LP/CD, and the originals must be owned by such small numbers of people now.