Beltona

British label established in 1922 and distributed by the Murdoch Trading Co. of 59-61 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1. The first releases (c.1922) were on the Beltona Record label, and these records had catalogue numbers from 100 up to at least 148 (and this series may have continued on the Olympic Record (2) label). There was also a short-lived series numbered 89-99 which may have been made for export to Australia (many of these releases are Australian artists or compositions). In 1923, the Murdochs contracted the Vocalion Gramophone Co. Ltd. to press the label's releases, and the better known Beltona label began with the first issues being numbered from 101 onwards (thus duplicating the catalogue numbers of previous releases on the Beltona Record label). Initially Beltona released the usual range of mainly popular music including vocals and dance bands although there was also some emphasis on Scots and Irish music. In 1927 production switched to Edison Bell Winner and after 1928 the pop music content on the label began to be phased out. From this point onwards most releases were Scottish and Irish music. In 1933, Edison Bell Winner went out of business, and Beltona records started to be produced by The Crystalate Gramophone Record Manufacturing Co. Ltd.. The latter was bought up by The Decca Record Company Limited in March 1935, and around 1941, Beltona itself was taken over by Decca. Decca continued releasing Irish and Scottish music on the label, first moving from the original 78rpm discs over to 7" records, both EPs and singles, and then into the LP market.