The Romance of Marconiphone.

Recorded around January 18th 1934 (not a very good time for selling expensive Radio-Gramophones, records (or indeed anything else)) this record was given away with Marconi radiograms. On the other side were some selections of popular light classics and song.

The intrepid reader on this record obviously relishes his job, and the prose brings the scene to life in a vivid way. Or at least it does to me! I love the phrase 'watery wilderness' for instance. Incidentally, the record does turn up fairly frequently. Even I've had about 4 copies of it down the years. Whereas the book referred to on the record, namely 'A City of Sound' seems to be quite rare as I've never seen a copy. Have you? I’d love to know.

Also, after hearing this page when it was first uploaded a few years ago, Ola Andersted from Sweden kindly wrote, identifying the narrator as Ralph Richardson, many years before he became Sir Ralph Richardson.

Just click on the picture of the label to hear the record.

Page modified 17th September 2002.

Revised 10th October 2006.