Phonograph Record Collection
Scope and Contents
Approximately 250 phonographic records, the majority of which are recordings of Cantonese (Yueju) operas on 10-inch shellac discs. The recordings were produced in the first half of the 20th century in China, England, Germany and the United States, on labels such as Beka, Columbia, Golden Star, Nam Sing and Victor. Another major group of recordings are of Chinese pop music and film soundtracks on 12-inch vinyl LPs from the 1950s to the 1980s and released in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Dates
- 1902 - 1986
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to researchers and to the public for access. Please contact the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California for more information.
Extent
6.75 Linear Feet (6 10-inch phonograph record boxes, 5 12-inch phonograph record boxes, 3 tall legal Hollinger boxes)
Language of Materials
Chinese
English
Arrangement
This collection is organized into the following three series:
Series 1. 7 and 10 inch discs
Series 2. 12 inch discs
Series 3. Packaging and blanks
Items within the series are ordered by the name of the record label and then by catalog number in alphanumerical order.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Items donated by Harry Okita, Lupe Chee, Gladys Waddingham, Connie Liu, and Raymond Woo. Compiled into a collection in 2023.
Separated Materials
Items contaminated by mold or that had previously been stored along moldy items are placed in boxes 6 and 11-14. Discs are located in boxes 6 and 11 and any corresponding album packaging is located in boxes 12-14.
Other discs have been temporarily removed from the collection to be digitized via the California Revealed Digitization and Preservation Assistance initiative. They are available for access as digital objects.
Processing Information
Initially inventoried in June 2023 and then processed in May and September 2024 by Andy Tan. Discs were removed from record books and sleeves, cleaned and resleeved in archival sleeves. Resleeved discs were placed back with album covers or original sleeves that were in good condition and rehoused in acid-free boxes.
- Title
- Guide to the Phonograph Record Collection
- Date
- 2024
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Repository
411 and 415 Bernard Street
Los Angeles California 90012 United States
(323) 222-0856
info@chssc.org