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Title: The Victrola Book of the Opera (Stories of the Operas with Illustrations and Descriptions of Victor Opera Records)
Author/Editor: Samuel Holland Rous
Publisher: Victor Talking Machine Company (Camden, NJ)
Publication Year: 1919 (Fifth Revised Edition)
Format: Hardcover, dark blue cloth-bound, 436 pages
Item Overview:
Up for sale is a fascinating piece of music history: a 1919 Fifth Revised Edition of The Victrola Book of the Opera. Published right at the end of World War I by the iconic Victor Talking Machine Company, this comprehensive 436-page guide served as a companion for early phonograph owners.
It contains detailed act-by-act plot summaries, historical context, and vintage black-and-white performance photographs for over 100 classic operas (including Puccini\'s La Bohême, Gounod\'s Faust, and Wagner\'s epics). It also serves as a historical catalog, listing the original 78 RPM Red Seal record numbers and prices available to buyers at the time. Features the famous \"His Master\'s Voice\" Nipper the dog logo on the copyright page.
Condition Details (Please Read & See Photos):
- Spine: Shows heavy vintage shelf wear, substantial color fading, rubbing, and fraying/chipping at the top and bottom edges. The original gold lettering on the spine is mostly worn away.
- Covers: The front and back dark blue cloth covers show some surface scuffing and corner bumping, but the gold embossed framing and title text on the front cover remain clear and legible.
- Binding & Interior: The interior pages are clean, fully intact, and tightly bound. The hinges and blue endpapers are secure with no major structural splits.
A wonderful addition to any collection of antique books, classical opera memorabilia, or early phonograph/gramophone history
Please review photos carefully for item condition and description
