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Pioneer recording artist Russell Hunting went to jail for what's on this CD. 19 cylinder selections (43 tracks) from c.1892-1900 of the rarest of the rare: explicit indecent spoken-word recordings that brought down the wrath of anti-vice crusader Anthony Comstock. Actionable Offenses is a critical edition that places these recordings in their original social and historical context. Featuring an oversized 60-page booklet with complete transcripts of the recordings, annotations on slang and out-of-date references, and a groundbreaking historical essay by Patrick Feaster and David Giovannoni detailing the rise of indecent recordings and arrest of Hunting. Also includes recordings by Cal Stewart, James White, and an unknown gentleman of the 1890s indulging his taste for home recordings.  Read more
List price: $25.00

Volume 3 of The Complete Hit of the Week Recordings picks up where Volume 2 left off and features 51 tracks including the Durium 5 minute records and a number of rare advertising records. The package includes a 24-page booklet with complete discographical information, an essay about the Durium Corporation and notes on the recordings. Read more
List price: $31.99

Volume 4 of The Complete Hit of the Week Recordings features 59 selections recorded between January and June 1932. The notes in the 24-page booklet follow the story of the Durium Corporation as they moved their focus from the weekly releases to the more lucrative business of producing advertising records, before eventually folding in 1934. Read more
List price: $31.99

Featuring 32 rare tracks that go all the way back to 1892, Masters of the Clarinet, 1892-1920 tells the story of the clarinet's instrumental role in the early recording industry. The set includes a 24 page booklet with notes by clarinet expert Stan Stanford and rare images and photos. Read more
List price: $16.99

Before the 20th century, the “sacred” songs of Protestant camp meetings and revivals were as catchy, memorable and personal as the pop songs of that or any other time. Bringing you more recordings from the 1890s than any other historical album to date, Waxing the Gospel is a landmark collection of 102 tracks on three CDs in a 408-page beautifully illustrated hardback book. Commercial recordings go back to 1890 and feature pioneer artists Emile Berliner, Thomas Bott, J. W. Myers, Len Spencer, Steve Porter, and J. J. Fisher—as well as stunning instrumental performances by Baldwin’s Cadet Band, Holding’s Parlor Orchestra, and the U. S. Marine Band. Celebrity recordings by star evangelists include Ira D. Sankey, Dwight L. Moody, and Prof. John R. Sweney. And vernacular recordings taken in the field are by historic evangelical figures such as Fanny Crosby reading one of her poems, Winfield Weeden singing his original songs, and the “Golden Minstrel” of the Salvation Army, Edward Taylor, who accompanies himself on the guitar. It’s a great listen, a fascinating story, a book for the coffee table, and a resource you’ll want to have nearby. Read more
List price: $55.00