Re: [ARSCLIST] 1937 disc recordings from the field

[Angie Dickinson <angie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If it is possible for him, I think it would be great if postings of
responses appeared here also.  I'd be very interested in what he finds out.

Prentice, Will wrote:
> Colleagues
>
> The request for info below is copied with consent from the IASA list. Please
> respond to the sender directly at ipngs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx as he's not an ARSC
> list member.
> Thanks
>
> Will
>
>
> > Hello all,
> >
> > There is a collection of aluminium discs recorded in Papua New Guinea in
> > 1937. As I have a copy of the invoice, I know exactly what machine was
> > used: "VHANZ - Model F-29 Double Turntable Fairchild-Proctor Recorder",
> > supplied by Fairchild Aerial Camera Corporation (New York). The cost for
> > the recorder and a multitude of replacement parts was over USD 1500, which
> > must have been quite expensive at the time.
> >
> > This was one of the first (if not THE first) collection made here using
> > microphones and a separate power supply. Although the expedition that used
> > it collapsed after only a month, 34 discs (10", 12", and mostly 16")
> > survive.
> >
> > My questions: are any of you familiar with this company (Fairchild) or the
> > equipment used? Was the equipment at all common at this time? Were
> > aluminium discs a very popular medium for field work? There are more
> > questions, but first I'd like to find someone familiar with this.
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >
> > Don Niles
> > Head & Senior Ethnomusicologist
> > Music Department
> > Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies
> > P.O. Box 1432
> > Boroko 111
> > PAPUA NEW GUINEA
> >
> > tel.:   [675] 325-4644
> > fax:    [675] 325-0531
> > email:  ipngs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
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