{"product_id":"the-encyclopedic-discography-of-victor-recordings-matrix-series","title":"The Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings: Matrix Series","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of The Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings: Matrix Series 1 Through 4999, the reviewer recommends the volume for serious record collectors, music historians, and archivists who need a primary-source catalog of early Victor recordings. The single biggest reason to buy is the book's exhaustive, ledger-based listing of every Victor recording under the Matrix Numbering system from April 24, 1903 through January 7, 1908, which makes it an essential reference for identifying early pressings and tracing artist sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLedger-based entries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each listing is drawn from the original Victor recording ledgers, providing authoritative session details for researchers and collectors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComprehensive range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Covers the entire Matrix Series 1 through 4999, enabling precise identification of recordings made through 1907.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtist coverage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes early recordings by major singers such as Caruso, Melba, and Schumann-Heink, which helps contextualize vocal discographies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenre breadth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Documents popular songs, light opera, music hall personalities, bands, and dance records, useful for broad cataloging work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serves as a reliable bibliographic tool for archivists compiling historical catalogs or museum displays.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is aimed squarely at dedicated record collectors, library and museum archivists, and academic music historians who require detailed primary-source documentation of early Victor recordings. Its ledger-based approach and complete Matrix coverage make it especially valuable for those verifying provenance or building authoritative discographies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCasual listeners or readers seeking a general narrative history of the Victor Talking Machine Company should look elsewhere; this volume prioritizes precise catalog data over storytelling and is formatted as a reference work rather than a popular history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnmatched primary-source accuracy due to transcription from original Victor recording ledgers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComplete Matrix coverage 1 through 4999 gives a single-volume reference for recordings through 1907.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCovers a wide array of artists and genres, making it useful across research fields in early recorded sound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormat is strictly discographic and reference-oriented, so readers seeking narrative history or illustrations may find it dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Encyclopedic Discography of Victor Recordings: Matrix Series: 1 Through 4999\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Brand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTed Fagan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCovers recordings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 April, 1903 to 7 January, 1908\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMatrix range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 through 4999\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSource material\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOriginal Victor recording ledgers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVocalists, bands, popular songs, light opera and dance records\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis volume is an indispensable reference for collectors and researchers who need ledger-based, comprehensive documentation of early Victor recordings; its focused, authoritative cataloging offers strong value to anyone assembling discographies or verifying early 20th-century recorded sound provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book include artist names and recording dates?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Entries are based on the original ledgers and include the artists and session details for recordings within the matrix range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a narrative history of the Victor company?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. The work is a discographic reference compiling ledger information rather than a popular narrative history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho prepared the discography?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe volume is compiled under the name Ted Fagan and is based on the Victor Talking Machine Company recording ledgers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ted Fagan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48670578573531,"sku":"031325320X","price":97.82,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61sPNno2uBL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778649763","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-encyclopedic-discography-of-victor-recordings-matrix-series","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}