Bornand and Supraphon updates
The Bornand records were not Saydisc pressings so only minimal information was included in the discography. Indeed, track listings had been sourced from catalogues and it was known (and stated) that not all tracks were detailed. Full details of all records have now been sourced so the full track listings appear below. Images are also included along with information on a previously unknown 7" EP of recordings from the Bornand Collection, distributed briefly in the UK by Saydisc.
Also, two Czechoslovakian Supraphon label LPs have been added. That Saydisc distributed these in the UK for a very limited period was unknown until a (probably late) 1969 "Saydisc Collectors Club" record insert turned up.
Also, two Czechoslovakian Supraphon label LPs have been added. That Saydisc distributed these in the UK for a very limited period was unknown until a (probably late) 1969 "Saydisc Collectors Club" record insert turned up.
Bornand
AB-1 was not imported and distributed by Saydisc because AB-3 had effectively superseded it - AB-1 was a 10" LP and AB-3 included all 14 tracks from that record, plus four extra tracks. This information finally appeared 8 July 2022 (only eleven years after publication of the book, where I tentatively suggested that Saydisc had not distributed AB-1 based on the fact that it was not included in any known Saydisc catalogue or advertisement).
At some point the early mono LPs below were also made available in stereo, as well as on cassette and 8-track cartridge (these presumably as stereo only) with sleeve blurb updated to advise the general public. The rear sleeve credits seem to have been regularly updated to reflect what was and what was no longer on current catalogue (including removal of information about Bornand's 78s at some point, presumably in the 1960s), with records being given an "Edition" number and the current year added, which will no doubt make things 'fun' for completist Bornand collectors, should there be such a thing.
Whilst Saydisc is listed in Music Master 11th Edition (1985), and Music Master Labels List '89 as supplying cassette versions, there would have been little incentive to distribute the 8-track versions, because this format was phased out in the UK, even for major artists, by the end of 1978.
The various 1980s Music Master publications list date of release of all as November 1980, which represents a repromotion (what with various of these appearing in 1960s Saydisc catalogues) and, curiously, looks to be around the date that Saydisc ceased to distribute them, what with them not appearing in the 1981 catalogue.
At some point the early mono LPs below were also made available in stereo, as well as on cassette and 8-track cartridge (these presumably as stereo only) with sleeve blurb updated to advise the general public. The rear sleeve credits seem to have been regularly updated to reflect what was and what was no longer on current catalogue (including removal of information about Bornand's 78s at some point, presumably in the 1960s), with records being given an "Edition" number and the current year added, which will no doubt make things 'fun' for completist Bornand collectors, should there be such a thing.
Whilst Saydisc is listed in Music Master 11th Edition (1985), and Music Master Labels List '89 as supplying cassette versions, there would have been little incentive to distribute the 8-track versions, because this format was phased out in the UK, even for major artists, by the end of 1978.
The various 1980s Music Master publications list date of release of all as November 1980, which represents a repromotion (what with various of these appearing in 1960s Saydisc catalogues) and, curiously, looks to be around the date that Saydisc ceased to distribute them, what with them not appearing in the 1981 catalogue.
AB-2 - Music Box Medley Of 10 Christmas Songs
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7" EP of a selection of music from AB-1 (and as also included on the extended AB-3). Yes, the printing on the sleeve on the copy scanned is endearingly skewiff. Saydisc charged 14/- (£0.70) for this as at December 1969.
A 2060 - Home Sweet Home
Click on image to see rear sleeve
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7" EP of extracts from Bornand LP, AB 5. The original release date is unknown and it was possibly as early as the 1950s. This was not included in the discography and that it was distributed in the UK by Saydisc was only discovered in an advert on p. 311 of the Christmas 1969 edition (Vol. 4 No. 4) of The Music Box (the Journal of the Music Box Society of Great Britain). There seems to be no further mention of this EP following the January 1970 catalogue, so UK distribution did not last long. Saydisc charged 14/- (£0.70) for this as at December 1969.
Although an EP of extracts from a Bornand label LP, the EP was issued by Columbia in their Masterworks series, hence the 'odd' catalogue number. My guess is that Saydisc sourced these from Bornand (rather than Columbia) and that supply ceased once Bornand had sold out of stock on hand.
Another Columbia EP of Borland label recordings, Wedding Music, A-1865, had been issued previously though this does not seem to have been distributed by Saydisc. Presumably, Bornand's stock had run out by the this time.
Although an EP of extracts from a Bornand label LP, the EP was issued by Columbia in their Masterworks series, hence the 'odd' catalogue number. My guess is that Saydisc sourced these from Bornand (rather than Columbia) and that supply ceased once Bornand had sold out of stock on hand.
Another Columbia EP of Borland label recordings, Wedding Music, A-1865, had been issued previously though this does not seem to have been distributed by Saydisc. Presumably, Bornand's stock had run out by the this time.
AB-3 - Music Box Medley Of Christmas Songs (cassette, AB-C 3)
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Saydisc charged 46/- (£2.30) for this as at December 1969. The first sleeve design is the original 1956 one, whilst the other was updated in 1977, whilst still distributed by Saydisc in the UK. The updated sleeve misses two tracks from the track listing, though includes them on the labels. Perhaps they thought that people would find it odd that there should be three versions of the same tune - let them find out once they've bought the thing.
RCB-4 - Old Music Box Waltz Melodies (cassette, RCB-C 4)
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Saydisc charged 46/- (£2.30) for this as at December 1969. What was unknown at time of publication was that this was also available in stereo as RCB-4S. All the LPs were reissued in stereo but it is not confirmed that all had catalogue numbers updated to celebrate the fact. However, this is academic in this instance because only the mono version of this is listed in Music Master publications as being available via Saydisc.
AB-5 - Golden Music Box Favorites (cassette, AB-C 5)
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Saydisc charged 46/- (£2.30) for this as at December 1969. Track 9, side 2 documented as per sleeve; it should be "The Harp That Once Thru Tara's Halls".
RCB-6 - Regina Sings Opera (cassette - RCB-C 6)
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RCB-7 - Symphonion Music Box (cassette, RCB-C 7)
Presumably issued post-1969. Track 5, side 2 as per label and sleeve; should be "Freischutz Prayer".
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Supraphon
Saydisc distributed two LPs along similar lines to the US Bornand label from the Czech-based Supraphon label. Details appeared on a mail order form for the "Saydisc Collector's Club", which was distributed along with the April 1969 catalogue. Both LPs were priced at 37/4 (plus 2/- postage for one LP or postage free for more than one) and were listed as "special" under the "Specials, New Releases and Roots" section. It appears that these Supraphon LPs were first distributed by Saydisc in early 1969 but, whilst the Bornand records were listed as on catalogue up to 1980, these two seem to have dropped off catalogue very quickly - the last known Saydisc advertisement to include these was on p. 311 of the Christmas 1969 edition of The Music Box (the Journal of the Music Box Society of Great Britain).
The original year of release was 1966, when both albums were issued as a double LP (DV 6254-55); SUA 10741 was originally issued as sides 3 and 4, and SUA 10742 as sides 1 and 2. In terms of issue as individual LPs, discogs.com lists a copy with a January 1967 manufacturing code for SUA 10741 and a February 1966 code for SUA 10742. It looks as though the double set and two single LPs may have been issued simultaneously (the fact that Supraphon listed date of manufacture means that all that can be said with any certainty is that the earliest known copy of SUA 10741 was pressed in 1967 but that doesn't preclude there having been an earlier pressing run).
SUA 10742 is reviewed on p. 600 of the Christmas 1968 edition of The Music Box, which also (mostly positively) reviews Saydisc's Story of a Polyphon (SDL 145). SUA 10742 is described in The Music Box review thus, '...Unfortunately, this is an 'export' number only available to special order, and thus it is a difficult disc to get...' hence, no doubt, Saydisc spotting an import and distribution opportunity.
The original year of release was 1966, when both albums were issued as a double LP (DV 6254-55); SUA 10741 was originally issued as sides 3 and 4, and SUA 10742 as sides 1 and 2. In terms of issue as individual LPs, discogs.com lists a copy with a January 1967 manufacturing code for SUA 10741 and a February 1966 code for SUA 10742. It looks as though the double set and two single LPs may have been issued simultaneously (the fact that Supraphon listed date of manufacture means that all that can be said with any certainty is that the earliest known copy of SUA 10741 was pressed in 1967 but that doesn't preclude there having been an earlier pressing run).
SUA 10742 is reviewed on p. 600 of the Christmas 1968 edition of The Music Box, which also (mostly positively) reviews Saydisc's Story of a Polyphon (SDL 145). SUA 10742 is described in The Music Box review thus, '...Unfortunately, this is an 'export' number only available to special order, and thus it is a difficult disc to get...' hence, no doubt, Saydisc spotting an import and distribution opportunity.
SUA 10741 - Prague National Museum: Historical Musical Instruments (January 1967?)
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This included a 4-page booklet with photos of instruments. Side 1 is titled 'Historical Musical Instruments', whilst side 2 is titled 'Instrumental Ensembles (Reconstructed musical instruments)' (though note that the kettle drums on track 6, side two, are authentic, original instruments). Labels only credit the part before the colon in the above listing, whilst the sleeve credits the music, composer and artist where known.
See further images and other details on discogs.com. Note that discogs.com states a later release year than shown above. This is based on the manufacturing code, which shows the date the individual copy of the record was pressed, not the date the record was first issued. This page, however, shows more information than does the page for the earlier pressing.
See further images and other details on discogs.com. Note that discogs.com states a later release year than shown above. This is based on the manufacturing code, which shows the date the individual copy of the record was pressed, not the date the record was first issued. This page, however, shows more information than does the page for the earlier pressing.
SUA 10742 - Prague National Museum: Mechanical Musical Instruments (February 1966)
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Pin Operated Musical Boxes
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Polyphones
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This included a 4-page booklet with photos of instruments. Labels only include the headings as track titles; the sleeve credits the individual tracks. See further images and other details.
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