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Dance Band
Encyclopaedia
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Labels
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Mimosa
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Crystallate introduced
their sixpenny Mimosa label in about 1921 as a replacement for the now
hard-to-find "Little Popular". The Mimosa records were initially
single-sided with a face number in an M-100 series. Subsequently, they
started issuing double-faced records, still numbering each face with the
face number, but not using a catalogue number to start with. All these
have an orange-coloured label with the M-series number and the records
were 5½" in diameter and sold in Woolworth's stores. The
lowest number seen to date is M-121 and the highest M-253.
The following year the
more-familiar P-series appeared, initially with the orange labels, but
soon changing to red. They were still 5½" and using the M-series
number as a matrix (now prefixed W- rather than M-). Some early P-series
pressings (specifically P-2) have been reported with a P- catalogue
number on one side and an M- number on the other. All Mimosa records
couple a copyrighted tune with one where the copyright has lapsed or was
owned by Crystalate. The 5½" discs ran from P-1 in October 1922 to
about P-240 in April 1926. The W- matrices continued in use on other
labels such as Oliver and Kiddyphone.
Mimosa, meanwhile had
introduced a 6" series starting, rather confusingly again at P-1
and probably being issued from January 1926 until about the Summer of
1928 by which time they reached P-227. The matrix series was in an E-100
range, and, again, they continued in use after Mimosa's replacement (by
7" Victory records) on Oliver & iddyphone records.
There are a handful of
American issues on the 6" series, usually dubbed and edited from
Items available in full on Crystalate's main Imperial label. These
issues have a matrix number in an A-1 series.
The music available on
Mimosa was unashamedly popular; after all, they were aiming at a
children's market. There were plenty of dance band recordings, mainly by
bands directed by Stan Greening and Ronnie Munro but with a handful by
Geoffrey Gelder and Hal Swain. In the early period, the bands appear to
be either the Marlborough Band or Jones' Band, neither of whom appear to
have recorded elsewhere. There are plenty of foreshortened Overtures and
the like, usually played by military bands, also songs of all types and
solo intrumental pieces.
Crystalate were very late
in introducing Electrical recordings. None of the 5½ Mimosas are
Electrically recorded, but the 6" ones are (at least on one side!)
from about P-200 (when there was a spate of American dubs, probably
because they were the only Electrical recordings available to them).
Label designs:
The extent that each design was used is still being investigated,
remembering that records can be found with more than one design if they
remained in catalogue for long enough. Hence, it is the highest use of a
design which is important here (if indeed it is important at all!)
Type 1: The orange background type was used on the
single-sided, the coupled M-series ones and the first P- series ones
(highest P-21).
Type 2: Used on
the early 5½" records up to about P-216 (highest found to
date).
Type 3: Used on
the 5½" records to P-239 (highest known 5½"). Also used on
the early 6" P-series from P-1 to P-97 (highest found so far).
Type 4: Used on
the 6" P-series to P-167.
Type 5: Used on
6" P-series to P-207. Some will state "Electrical
Recording" on the label, but these are usually the American
recordings.
Type 6: Used on
the last few 6" P-series to P-227 (highest known). Most new
recordings on this label are labelled "Electric".
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Type 1
Early
single-sided style and early P-series

Type 2
Early
P-series 5½"

Type 3
Later 5½"
and early 6" type

Type 4

Type 5

Type 6
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Discographer Arthur Badrock
has been collecting details about Mimosa records for many years, but is
reluctant to publish his information while there are so many gaps. As an attempt
to flush out these missing items, here is a list. If you have any of these, do
send the details to me. Arthur, sadly, passed away in 2009, but has passed on
all his collected information on Mimosa records to me to carry on the good work.
The information needed is:
matrix number and take (if shown)
song/tune title
artist
type (e.g. ballad, fox-trot etc)
accompaniment (e.g. piano or orchestra)
Catalogue number.
label type (see above) especially if out of the ranges I have
mentioned.
So, Here is the list.....Email
me if you have any of
these
Last updated
October 09, 2011
M-series:
Any before M-121, M-123, M-131, M-135, M-139,
M-143, M-146, M-148, M-149, M-151, M-156, M-162,
M-165, M-166, M-174, M-178 to M-182, M-185, M-186, M-187, M-189, M-190,
M-193
to M-196, M-199 to M-204, M-212 to M-223.
5 ½”:
P-13, P-19, P-22 to P-27, P-38, P-39,
P-43, P-51, P-52, P-54, P-76, P-81, P-84,
P-103,
P-107, P-149,
P-155, P-159,
P-193, P-195, P-196, P-201, P-202, P-203, P-232....and any higher
than P-239.
6”:
P-3, P-7, P-9, P-15, P-17, P-18, P-40, P-59,
P-60, P-70, P-86, P-88, P-92, P-93, P-94, P-96,
P-100,
P-102, P-118, P-126,
P-140, P-143, P-150, P-154, P-165, P-182, P-196, P-197,
P-198, P-201, P-225
and any higher than P-227.
If, like me, you're not
always sure whether the record you have is 5½"
or 6", the easiest way to tell (without reverting to a ruler to measure the
record) is to check the matrix number (the small number printed near the bottom
of the label). If it begins with E, then it is a 6" disc.
Note: Thank you to the
following people
who have e-mailed me with information about the missing items above. This is
most useful and I'm very grateful;
Maurice Holmes, Jayne Hughes, Matthew Chisholm, Charles Hippisley-Cox, Geoff
Wiggin, Brian Farey, John Clarke, Dave Woods, Tyrone Settlemier.