Any one who knows me, knows also of my passion for old records and old
phonographs.  I have been having a blast today with some old records that
I found in a used record shop for practically nothing.  Let me preface by
saying that I am waiting anxiously for the arrival of the three antique
phongraphs that I have recently acquired.

One is an early 50"s model Hoffman portable stereo.  It plays all four
speeds and has cute little fold out stereo speakers in the front.  The
others are an RCA EY series record player that hooks into an old RCA
bullhorn radio, all fully restored to working order, and a Crossley
radio/phonograph that plays only 45s that is also fully restored.  I
can't wait!!!

So anyway, as I was looking through the records I came across a
stack of boxed sets of classical 45s from the early 50s.  They include a
Philadelphia Orchestra recording of Thaikovsky 5 on Columbia, Toscanini's
Dvorak New World (Labeled symphony number 5) on RCA, The Pines of Rome
on Rca with Toscanini, a very pared down Beethoven's fifth on RCA with
Koussevitzki and Boston, Tchaik 6 with the Philharmonia and Nicolai malko,
Konwitschny conducting the Rienze overture on Urania with the Munich State
opera orchestra, Reiner/CSO and Gilels in Tchaikovski's First Concerto, and
Monteux's Scheherezade with San Francisco.

Of course, I'll enjoy them more on my new/old players, but it's really
fun to see and hear how it was done in the old days.  Anyone else have fond
memories from this era.  (Mind you I am only 35 and so I am experiencing it
second hand) but it gives me hours of enjoyment.

Kevin Sutton