78 rpm Record Labels - B
Page last updated on May 16, 2008 By Glenn Longwell
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Bell Record. 1950s. These are not related to the Bell above. The first example is a 7" record and probably dates to 1954. The second is a 10" record.
These following five Bell records are from the same label that produced records between 1920 and 1928. The three styles on the left was one of the earlier examples produced by the Arto Company for W.T. Grant Company dime stores. The earliest of which contained the Bell on the label. Later styles, like the following two examples were made after Arto's bankruptcy and produced under the direction of Bell Record Corporation and were likely drawn from masters of either Emerson or Regal.
The Black Deuce. I don't know how long this label was around but this particular record, A Nite at Carnegie Hall with Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker is the first record in a 3 record set recorded September 29, 1947. Personnel are Dizzy, Charlie, John Lewis, Al McKibbon and Joe Harris.
Bornand Music Box Record Co., Pelham, NY. This is from a 3 record album "Old Music Box Melodies." It's R.B. No 3 Old Favorites from January 1947. Inside the front cover of the album it explains the types of music boxes and related information. These are recordings of the music played on music boxes.
Busy Bee Record, 1906-1909. These records were produced by various manufacturers for the O'Neil-James Company of Chicago, IL. This particular example is an early 7" single sided record. The idea of both the center hole and the rectangular lug hole was the O'Neill-James sold phonographs with a lug on the turntable such that you could only purchase Busy Bee records to play on it.
Banner was a mid-priced label that ran from 1922-1935 and was originally produced for the Plaza Music Company. It's history is a bit too extensive for this site. The one on the far left was recorded in 1924, the 2nd one in 1927, the 3rd one from 1930 and the last one from late 1934. Note the last two no longer say Plaza Music Company as this is when American Record Corporation was producing this label.
Baton. Baton Records, Inc., New York, NY. 1950s.
Banner Records, Inc. This is a late 1940's/early 1950s label not related to the above label.
Bluebird. This budget label for RCA started in 1932 and was extremely successful. From left to right the "buff" label, the "staff" label and then two versions of the later common label. To the left is one listing the record as a "Fitch Bandwagon Special." Fitch Bandwagon was an NBC radio show of the 30's and 40's. The record is Deep In the Heart of Texas by Alvino Rey and his Orchestra. Does anyone out there know the connection? Please let me know.
Bally. Bally Recording Corporation, Chicago, Ill. 1950s.
Bandwagon. Bandwagon Records, Inc. New York, NY. Late 1940s.
BBS Records. Philadelphia, PA. 1950s. Manufactured and distributed by Palda Record Co.
Beacon. 1940s and 1950s. This was one of the labels run by Joe Davis. The parent company was Davis Record Corp.
Benida. Manufactured by Benida Enterprises, Inc. New York, NY. 1950s.
Berkshire. Berkshire Records, Lennox, MA. 1950s.
Bibletone. 1940s and 50s.
Big 4 Hits. Cincinnati, OH. 1950s. 2 songs per side and use the term "extended play" on the record.
Black & White. New York, NY. 1940s. The 2nd record shows a recording date of 1-5-45.
Bullet. Produced by the Bullet Recording & Transcription Co. Nashville, TN. 1940s and early 1950s.
