Too early to think about Christmas shopping? Just imagine, in December 1928 you could have joined Foisy Frères Christmas Club for $1.00 and then, for a mere $4.00 a week - the store window display to the right doesn't mention the number of weeks - you could have taken home a brand new Orthophonic Victrola Model 8-36, the last deluxe Orthophonic in the Victor catalogue and available only in Canada. And the company was even throwing in $35.00 worth of records!

In an article titled Canadian Victor Orthophonic Victrolas (Antique Phonograph News, July - August 2001) CAPS member Greg Robertson illustrated an unidentified machine from a 1929 Canadian record sleeve. Similar to the American 8-35 with its exposed record album storage on either side of the horn, the only difference seemed to be the curvaceous design of the feet. Why Canada would produce a unique model, the 8-36, with such a minor design change is perplexing, but in all events the mystery machine is now identified.

Also in this issue:

• At The Auction (Ebay) by Mike Bryan
• Barbershop Quartets, the First Quartet Named on Records, and the Most Popular Quartet of the Acoustic Era by Tim Gracyk
• The Barraud Family as Photographers, Part II by John E. Rutherford

Illustrated is a beautiful reproduction post card showing a Victor Monarch Gramophone which was used during Captain Scott's last expedition. The photograph was taken soon after disembarkation in Antarctica while the Base Camp Hut was being assembled. The box reads "Capt Scott's Antarctic Expedition 1910". The writing at the bottom right indicates the photo was taken in January 1911.

Also in this issue:

• Who Visits the CAPS Web Site? by Bill Pratt
• Union, Illinois Trip - 2002 by Bob Nix
• The Barraud Family as Photographers, Part 1 by John E. Rutherford
• At The Auction (Ebay) by Mark Caruana
• New Device May Unlock Old Music London Free Press, March 17, 2000

Lionel Mapleson, the Metropolitan Opera House's librarian, had access to the great opera voices in New York at the beginning of the 20th century. A self proclaimed "phonograph maniac" his recordings offer us the chance to hear actual staged opera productions from this period. Robert Feinstein's article on this early sound recording pioneer begins on page 7.

Also in this issue:

• It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time ..., Part 2 by Mike Bryan

CAPS Talking Machine Exhibition a Success! Once again CAPS past president Mike Bryan's phonograph exhibition brought out many rare machines. The history of the industry's successes and failures was discussed as we enjoyed seeing and hearing some of the more unusual early machines. Part 1 of his report begins on page 4. Shown is Domenic DiBernardo demonstrating his Edison Talking Doll.

Also in this issue:

• Ephemera Corner: Fragmentary Documents of Phonograph History by Bill Pratt
• Antique Phonograph Advertising: An Illustrated History (Book review) by Mark Caruana
• Claymont Delaware Show: Worthy Of A Long Drive by Mark Caruana

Do you recognize this street? Can you spot the connection to phonograph collecting? The casual acquisition of this photo-postcard of a downtown city street by CAPS member Bill Pratt led to the discovery of one of Canada's oldest and longest-lived music stores. The story begins on page 4.

Also in this issue:

• At The Auction (Ebay) by Mark Caruana

Tim Gracyk, well known music historian, takes a look at the career of this recording pioneer who spanned the early development of the talking machine industry. See his article that begins on page 8.

Also in this issue:

• At The Auction (Ebay) by Mark Caruana
• A Rare Canadian Berliner by Jean-Paul Agnard