Melodisc (9)

U.S. record label (1920-21). Produced by the Emerson Phonograph Company Inc., these 7" lateral cut discs were among the last small-diameter records produced by the company. They were introduced in 1920 after 7" discs on the Emerson label were discontinued in 1919. Although Melodisc labels do not credit Emerson as manufacturer, early releases do cite Emerson's universal-cut patent (1,213,468). Many Melodisc releases reissued 7" Emerson masters recorded as early as 1917, although some issues contained newly recorded material. Sleeve says "Plays on Any Phonograph"/"They Play on Any Phonograph", but this record MUST be played on a manual record player because the music grooves end very close to the label, way past the point where an automatic record player would return the tone arm. Many releases are pseudonymous, and use artists aliases associated with Pathé, leading to speculation that this company might have been involved in marketing the Melodisc brand.