EDISON CYLINDER 9926 E. MEEKER TAKE ME OUT TO BALL GAME

$

154

Presenting Musical Selections from

Blackpool Bertie's Melody Pub

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Hello All!  This is a two-minute (4-1/4"), black wax cylinder record featuring Edward Meeker on Edison 9926 and performing the following selections:

"Take Me Out To The Ball Game" vocal waltz with brass band (condition V or a little better with light stripping and greying in places, small scratch into 8 grooves on end opposite the imprinted title - we have no way to play this cylinder and have graded it visually. Also, there is no lid for the cylinder's cardboard cannister) This is a classic ragtime-era recording from 1908 of the famed baseball melody with both verse and chorus sections - you can listen to another copy of this jaunty Edison record at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Out_to_the_Ball_Game

NOTE: This record is a third-party consignment from the estate of a long-time 78 collector.

We utilise the following commonly-recognised grading standard for 78 rpm. records: New (N), Excellent (E), Very Good (V), Good (G), and Poor (P), and qualified with single or double plus (+, ++) or minus (-, --) increments as warranted. NOTE: As there is no such thing as a "new" 78 rpm. record, the highest possible grade we will ever use for the very cleanest disc is N-. Any defects or flaws will be noted after the condition grade. We do not sell cracked records (even "hairline") or any with either rim chips or severe scratches affecting play nor do we sell discs with obvious heavy warping. Our grading is visual by necessity as we haven't time to play the records, but tends to be conservative, meaning that a disc might actually play a bit nicer than we've let on (better safe than sorry, yeah?).

Each record comes in a standard plain sleeve and will be packaged quite securely and safely for shipping. NOTE: Due to excessive transit time, unreliable service, rough handling, and poor tracking, we will NOT ship 78 rpm. gramophone records via Media Mail, so please don't ask us to! The USPS will no longer trace such parcels should they go missing or excessively-overdue. Two decades of posting 78s around the world has taught us that USPS Priority Mail is the best, quickest, safest, and most expedient way to ship them! Obviously, posting overseas will cost a good bit more than domestic shipping as 78s are right heavy, so we shall need to sort that bit out on an individual basis.

ALL OF OUR GOODS COME FROM A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT!

Unless noted as a consignment, the 78 rpm. records in our auctions have come directly from our lifelong personal collection which is rather like a massive old oak tree... it needs a bit of pruning now and again to keep the whole thing stout, healthy, and harmonious!

Each piece offered for sale in our auctions has been presented and described in accurate detail. Please consider placing our Railway Shop / Melody Pub amongst your favourite sellers as we add new items quite frequently.

Cheers and Happy Bidding! - "Blackpool Bertie"

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GENERAL INFORMATION, BIDDERS' REQUIREMENTS & POLICIES

(A lot of standard CYA "boilerplate" stuff you mightn't actually need to know unless you fancy a good, long read!)

WINNING BIDDER BILLING: We will transmit an eBay invoice as soon after the close of each auction as is practical (the wee hours notwithstanding!). After receiving the billing, you may use eBay's auto-checkout system to complete your transaction. To speed your transaction, please make your payment arrangements straight away - the quicker we get your money, the quicker you get your newly-won goods!

ACCEPTED PAYMENT OPTIONS: PayPal in US Dollars or other methods as agreed upon between seller and buyer at the time of sale. We ask that you make your payment or arrange to do so within seven days of the auction's closing time. NOTE: Some eBay sellers are now passing PayPal fees on to their customers - that's neither right nor honourable! Since PayPal promises that its services are free to buyers, then so it shall be. We shan't engage in such a dodgy practice in order to save a few bob!

POST & PACKING: We ship only via the United States Postal Service. Transport and other limitations on our part preclude utilising UPS or FedEx - as there can be no exceptions, please don't ask. We will ship most items anywhere in the world and use the following classes of US Mail: domestic First Class post (for flat or light items and mailing tubes); Priority Mail (for most items and all music recordings such as 78s, LPs, CDs, cassettes); Parcel Post (for anything heavy that must be shipped in a box, except music), Media Mail (used only for books when weight is substantial), First Class International post (for flat or light items going overseas and cross-border), and Priority Mail International post (for anything going overseas or cross-border that weighs more than 13 ounces). We may utilise other classes of mail in unusual cases or by request with the appropriate rate being charged. NOTE: Our post & packing charges are both reasonable and appropriate for the specific merchandise to ensure safe and reliable delivery and always include USPS Delivery Confirmation. We assess no surcharges for "handling" or packing materials! All packets are calculated at - or reasonably close to - the actual postage rate. We do not believe in profiteering from post & packing charges! Also note that Priority Mail is the best option for most of our merchandise as it offers swift, efficient, damage-free, and reliable service from coast to coast. Parcels can be tracked by seller and buyer alike and all packaging carries USPS's own Priority Mail branding for additional security and timeliness. Media Mail packets cannot be tracked enroute nor traced should they go missing in transit and they are not handled gently by postal sorters!

COMBINED POST & PACKING: For multiple purchases, we will combine shipping whenever possible to save you money and save us time and labour. Exceptions to this will occur only if the items are not able to be shipped together due to size, shape, fragility, or similar impracticalities. For example: 78 rpm. records cannot be shipped with LP albums as they require entirely-different packaging to ensure safe transit.

THE SHIPPING FORECAST: Our eBay parcels posting is done as payments are received and cleared, even on the same day if the postman's not yet been 'round. All packets are collected directly from our Home Office letterbox or porch and will ship as quickly as they can be made ready. Thanks to USPS / PayPal "Click & Ship", we are no longer at the mercy of either foul weather or our lack of motorised transport! Exceptions to the above include First Class International packets for which postage cannot be purchased online. FCI shipments are made from our Post Office on a bi-weekly basis due to time and distance constraints (as in the aforementioned foul weather and lack of motorised transport - that P.O. is a three-mile round-trip walk!).

WILL-CALL MERCHANDISE PICK-UP: Our Home Office is located in Laurel, Maryland USA. Buyers within a reasonable distance are invited to arrange for a "will-call" pick-up of their merchandise to save on post & packing. An appointment is required - please contact us via E-mail to request a visitation.

POSTAL SERVICE DELAYS & TARDINESS: Over time, a number of our customers have reported that Parcel Post and Media Mail parcels have taken anywhere from two weeks to longer than a month to arrive. It was explained by a local Postmaster that this is due in large part to the shift in parcels shipment from Amtrak trains to private-haul lorries. It appears that the American trucking system has been unable to absorb all the parcels that once travelled efficiently aboard speedy passenger trains. USPS have also enacted - at least on a localised basis - a policy of not sending out a parcels lorry trailer until it's been filled completely. If such is indeed the case, the delay potential for certain remote destinations is quite sobering! NOTE: Please do not enquire about the status of a Parcel Post or Media Mail shipment until thirty days have passed since the despatch date shown in our original E-mail shipping notice. The USPS will not initiate a mail trace on a Parcel Post packet until it has gone missing for sixty days! They will not trace missing Media Mail packets at all! Do not fear the Postal Abyss, however - we have seldom ever had a shipment lost - the nearly always turn up eventually!

ACROSS THE POND: As already stated, we will sell to buyers in nearly any country eBay allows us to trade with under American and British law (dual-citizenship is a wonderful thing!). We have, unfortunately, had to impose a few restrictions on our good overseas customers to avoid recurring problems and losses. Due to difficulties encountered with US, Canadian, and European Customs, we will not artificially-lower valuations to lessen import duties - the sale price is the declared value. We cannot ship anything that may be considered contraband and seized by Customs agents (ie: goods originally produced in Canada, Great Britain, or France, for export or otherwise). NOTE: There may be special exceptions to our worldwide sales policy due to legal issues involving the importation of certain types of goods. For personal and political reasons, we will not do trade with anybody residing in Israel. We do, however, have a "don't ask - don't tell" policy on worldwide sales arranged through third-party goods brokers: where, with whom, and for what purpose our merchandise ultimately ends up after a transaction is completed is of no further interest or concern to us!

NO-QUIBBLE REFUNDS: If you should be unsatisfied by your purchase for any valid reason (damaged in transit, not working properly, spousal abuse over your wicked eBay spending addictions, etc.), we will refund your original purchase price (less any shipping charges associated with either the original sale or the return of the item) as soon as the merchandise is returned. It is our hope that each transaction will be satisfactory to all, but do realise that the occasional prang-up will occur. Please contact us to resolve any problems you may have with our service and we will make it right with no quibbles! Prompt and clear communication is paramount to completing a successful transaction to everybody's satisfaction and happiness. NOTE: Any returns of consigned goods are contingent upon the consignor's approval and if granted, are subject to the above conditions.

FEEDBACK EQUALS "BOB'S YOUR UNCLE!": We will leave favourable feedback upon receipt of payment and would request that the buyer do likewise upon delivery of the merchandise. The previous paragraph applies and it is hoped that an unhappy buyer would contact us to resolve any problems prior to leaving feedback, favourable or otherwise. We are quite proud of our exemplary eBay feedback record and wish to keep it "sunny side up"! A quick word from the "Bureau of Redundancy Bureau" - when leaving feedback for multiple items, it's really not necessary to compose a completely different message for each item - a single kind testimonial works just as well for six items as for one!

HOME OFFICE WORKING HOURS: We are at your service six days per week, Sunday through Thursday from 08.00 (US Eastern Time Zone) until 24.00, Friday from 16.00 until 24.00 (parcels posting makes for a short office day). Saturday is our official Day of Rest (catching up the B.B.C., watching EastEnders, listening to vintage radio programmes, etc.) and after a working week of 100-or-more hours, we bloody well need it! We'll often work through American bank holidays and all.

OI!  GIVE US A SHOUT THEN, YEAH?: You lot are always welcome to write us via the eBay contact system and we will be only too happy to give you our E-mail address! You may wish to discuss our auctions, your transaction, or you might fancy a lively discourse on some of our favourite subjects: cats, railways, British brass bands, fire brigades, cats,  Billy Cotton & His Band (WAKEY! W-A-A-A-A-KEY!), Penna. RR GG1 electric locomotives, cats, German U-boats, the Bluebell Railway, cats, Sir Winston Churchill, New Jersey Diners, Prince Harry (our Royal hero!), cats, LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman, Victor "scroll" 78 rpm. gramophone records, more cats, steam locos, Blackpool Tower, the B&O Railroad, and The Doctor's TARDIS. Oh, and we mustn't forget about cats, must we?! For business E-mails, we'll respond as promptly as possible - for all others, we'll soon get them all sorted out in good time. Right! Well don't think too hard on it, you might strain something! Are you still here?! . . . Off ye go then . . .  there's a good chap!

OUR SERVICE PLEDGE: We endeavour to serve you honestly, quickly, reliably, and efficiently. Our merchandise is presented in accurate detail and pictured in a manner that will give a true representation of its appearance. Any flaws an item may have will be duly noted within its description, especially if not readily apparent amongst the listing pictures. Please contact us with any questions you may have before bidding and we shall do our best to answer your query straight away. Mind you, with many of our auctions involving consignments, we may not actually have a working knowledge of everything we're selling, but ask away and we'll give it a go. We thank you kindly for your interest in our eBay auctions and sales and eagerly await your custom!

CHEERIO & GODSPEED EV'RYBODY!  from "Blackpool Bertie" and our Industrious All-Feline Staff here at Catford Manor House (aka: "The Many Cats of Nasty Acres"): "Honey Bun" (aka. "The Bunster"), "Sweet Pea" (aka. "Chunky Monkey"), "Miss Kitten" (aka. "Little Luv"), "Moggy" (aka. "Mog the Merciless"), "Sir Winston" (aka. "Winnie"), "Millicent" (aka. "Millie-Millie-Meow"), "Toby" (aka. "Tobyola"), "Beatrice Kitty" (aka. "Baby Bea"), "Chessie" (aka. "Chesney McTabby"), "Mama Kitty" (aka. "Patches"), "Sweetie Face" (aka. "The Sweetster"), "Little Grey" (aka. "Lady Grey-Hampton"), "Lucky Seven" (aka. "Baby No. 7"), and our newest cat-ly apprentice, "Big Boy" (aka. "Oi! C'mere Punk!").

Classic Blackpool: The Tower and Trams on the Promenade

 "Steadfast and Stalwart in our Resolute Endeavour to Preserve a Tiny Bit of the British Empire at the Very Heart of the Former American Colonies"

RULE BRITANNIA! - BRITANNIA RULES!

WE'RE NOT AFRAID - ROCK ON, MATES!!

Hello All!  Here's some more information, in the vernacular of the day, about this marvellous recording from Edison's July 1908 Phonograph Monthly Advance List (highlighted in red). Cheers! 'B.B.'

Edison Phonograph Monthly, July, 1908

Advance List of New Edison Records for September, 1908

RECORDS listed below will be shipped from Orange in time to reach all Jobbers in the United States and Canada before August 25th, 1908, all things being favorable, and they may be reshipped to Dealers at 2 P.M. on August 24th. They must not, however, be exhibited, demonstrated or placed on sale by Jobbers or Dealers until 8 A. M. on August 25th. Supplements, Phonograms and Bulletins will be shipped with Records. These may be distributed to Dealers after August 2Oth, but must not be circulated among the public before August 25th. Jobbers and Dealers may, however, deposit Supplements and Phonograms in Mail Boxes or Post Offices after 5 P. M. on August 24th, for delivery on the following day. Jobbers are required to place orders for September Records on or before July 10th. Dealers should place September orders with Jobbers before July 10th to insure prompt shipment when Jobber’s stock is received.

9924 Mexican Kisses - Edison Concert Band: Here is a most delightful concert number that has much in common with the ravishingly sweet “Habanera ” the Spanish national dance. It is built upon a melody that is as dreamy and rhythmic as any olive-tinted danseuse of old Spain could wish for. As usual with Spanish and Mexican dance music, castenets are introduced with fine effect to emphasize the dance tempo. Composer, Charles J. Roberts; publisher, Carl Fischer, New York.

9925 Let Me Crown You Queen of May with Orange Blossoms - Manuel Romain: A picturesque love ballad that vividly recalls Record 9728, “When It’s Moonlight, Mary Darling, ‘Neath the Old Grape Arbor Shade.” The music is by the same composer and serves equally well to bring out all the latent sweetness of Romain’s fine tenor voice. To hear this Record is to wish to own it. Orchestra accompaniment; music, J. Fred Helf; words, Bartley Costello; publishers, Helf & Hager Co., New York.

9926 Take Me Out to the Ball Game - Edward Meeker: The base-ball hit of the season - a home run at least. Katie Casey is a true-blue, dyed-in-the-wool base-ball “fan ” and can give her big brothers pointers on “rooting” for the home team. She'd rather munch peanuts on the bleacheries than caramels at a matinee-which is saying a good deal for a girl. Meeker must have taken Katie to a game or two, judging from the interest he takes in singing about her. The tune is a jolly, infectious one and you get every word. Orchestra accompaniment; music, Albert Von Tilzer; words, Jack Norworth; publishers, York Music Co., New York.

9927 Dancing in the Barn - Edison Military Band: A new interpretation of an old-time favorite greatly in demand for the reigning barn dance, which seems to have come to stay. The Band has succeeded in making a remarkably good Record, loud and clear in tone with the rhythm perfectly marked. Publishers, Thompson & Odell, Boston, Mass.

9926 Hugo - Ada Jones: Here is more proof that Ada Jones’ versatility has no limit. This charming entertainer can sing an Irish song “to beat the Dutch,” and then turn right around and sing Dutch to beat the Irish. That may seem like a very difficult feat, but there will be no room for doubt after hearing “Hugo,” which is her latest Dutch dialect song. A winning combination of genuine comedy with a pleasing waltz tune that suggests the most musical of Vesta Victoria’s English comedy songs. Orchestra accompaniment; music, Ted Snyder; words, Edgar T. Farran; publishers, Ted Snyder Co., New York.

9929 Sim and Sam, the Musical Coons - Len Spencer and Mozarto: A racy vaudeville sketch. Sam and Sim are a pair of vivacious coons who get back at one another with a lot of witty ragtime repartee leading up to some clever musical stunts. The latter are done by Mozarto, the European vaudeville performer, who was tempted to visit America by the large salaries paid here to artists in his line. He plays about every type of...

This selection will be illustrated on cover of September Phonogram.