The cover of this issue of APN features a vintage photograph from the collection of Bill Pratt. An extended family group, three generations at least, dressed in their finest Sunday clothes has posed on the front lawn of their farm house for the family photograph. Included for the event is their prized - or perhaps it is their newest - possession, a Columbia Disc Graphophone. It is the Sterling model BI introduced in 1905 for $45.00, not an inexpensive purchase at the time.

The photograph was originally reproduced on a post card during the "Golden Age" of post card collecting at the turn of the century. Because initially it cost only one cent to send a card, millions of cards of every conceivable description were printed and almost everyone kept a post card album. Photo-cards, called realphotos, were usually made by a local photographer and printed by a small publisher. They were costly to produce and therefore made in small quantities, but were particularly popular to say hello to relatives and friends. This post card is undated and unused.

CAPS begins its 30th year with a reproduction of this photograph as a promotional photo-card aimed at fostering increased awareness of this friendly, informal group of more than 300 phonograph and record collectors worldwide.

Also in this issue:

• Restoring Life To An Old Phonograph by Bob Nix, "The Gramophone Doctor"
• Hi-Yo Silver Awayyyy: The Quest For Music Used On The Lone Ranger by Graham Newton
• Automated Music Show in Ohio by Mark Caruana

Several CAPS members, specialists in the restoration and repair of antique phonographs, shared their expertise at a recent CAPS meeting. Illustrated is Horst Weggler who discussed some of the techniques he uses to construct wooden horns and lids. In an article beginning on page 3, Mark Caruana describes his methods of refinishing the metal parts of a phonograph, such as the bedplate and the tone arm support, and of applying decals to the cabinet. Bob Nix provides extensive information on cabinet restoration

Also in this issue:

• Ada Jones, Female Recording Pioneer: Part 2 by Tim Gracyk

This versatile and much loved recording artist is the focus of a two part biography from the just published The Encyclopedia of Popular American Recording Pioneers by well known writer Tim Gracyk. Ada Jones's celebrated recording career begins in 1893 making her one of the earliest recorded female artists.

Also in this issue:

• Antique Music Show in Delaware by Mark Caruana

The April 1999 meeting was a treat as members were able to see some unusual toy and portable gramophones. The Mighty Tiny player (pictured), with its 2 1/8 inch records, generated much discussion. Dating from the 1960s or 1970s it may be the world's smallest gramophone. Other highlights can be found in Mike Bryan's article beginning on page 7.

Also in this issue:

• Antique Phonograph Gadgets, Gizmos & Gimmicks (Book review) by Mark Caruana
• A New Addition for the Musée Edison du Phonographe by Jean-Paul Agnard
• Florida Museum Sold by Mark Caruana

A delightful quintet of postcards with a gramophone theme, each addressed to a Miss Rainbow Dick of Watertown, N.Y., is a recent find from Woodstock, Ontario's Nostalgiarama antique show. The postmarks date the correspondence between August 1914 and April 1915.

Also in this issue:

• Repair of Victor Exhibition Reproducers by Don Woodrow
• Pioneers of the Early Recording Industry: Cal Stewart and Billy Murray by Mike Rosevear
• Two Gems From the Turn of the Century: Soloists of the Sousa Band - Herbert L. Clarke (cornet) and Arthur Pryor, (trombone) (CD reviews) by David Lennick
• Note the Notes: An Illustrated History of the Columbia Record Label 1901-1958 (Book review) by Steven C. Barr

CAPS members were treated to a lecture and display of rare Edison motion picture projectors at the October 1998 meeting. Robert Gutteridge took us on a journey through the significant sites in Toronto's early moving picture history using slides of rare advertisments and photographs from his collection. His article begins on page 10.

Also in this issue:

• The Life and Career of Henry Burr, Part II by Tim Gracyk
• The First Spring-Driven Disc Gramophones by Jack Winkler
• Long Time CAPS Member Joe Westman Passes On by Bill Tarling