The E-Discographer #2 January 2001 -
The Talking Card
This is a curious entry in the flexible disc category. It is a tiny, red-brown
colored plastic disc which is stapled rather than laminated to the cardboard
base. Measuring only ?? in diameter, the pricelist on the back of the card dates
it to April of 1923. On the record a male voice reads the following:
"I am your talking card, the super salesman. I travel by fast mail. Expense
account is one thin stamp. Invited home by my customers, I am accorded a hearing
when he has time to listen and leisure to consider. My story is fully told in a
few well-chosen words by the living voice of the one who sent me. If you have
goods to sell or a message to broadcast, write today to the Advertising Record
Corporation, 96 5th Avenue, New York City. I am theTalking Card, the super
salesman."
This is a very primitive electrical recording, possibly made with a modified
telephone. Handwritten in the center of the matrix is:
Pat
Pend
Advertising Record Corp
96 5th Av
New York City. Above there is a
monogram which appears to consist of a T and a C combined, at the right is the
number 14.
The Advertising Record Corp. does not appear to have become the medium of choice
among advertising executives but it did develop a most interesting sideline;
celebrity recordings.
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