Michael Thomas' Website

Records

Pigmy

Home Page  Records British Dance Bands Sound Files Contact Me
One of the many tiny records available in the early 1920s, "Pigmy Gramophone", as they were styled, were 5½" in diameter and were pressed by Crystalate, using the same masters as their "Mimosa" records of the period. The records were made for the toymakers, Bing Brothers. The catalogue numbers ran from 1 to about 80 (79 is the highest reported so far) and the records were the usual mix of early dance music and popular vocal & instrumental selections.

It will be seen that Pigmy records used some of the catalogue numbers twice. This is not a mistake on my part and I have seen some of these duplicated ones. Those where I only show the titles have been taken from original Pigmy record sleeves, which list available records. but don't list the artists' names.

 

Please e-mail me if you can help me fill in the gaps in any of these series.

My thanks to the late Arthur Badrock in providing most of the information for this page. Much of the rest is from my own collection.
My thanks also to the following who have provided more information:
Alex Adlam, David Bissett, Robin Bratchley, Ron Brown, John Culley, Bill Dean-Myatt, Graham Farnell, Robert Girling, Tom Hankey, Jolyon Hudson, John Jones, Adam Miller, Steve Paget, Jill Vallance

Page last updated on: October 02, 2022

Cat No Matrix Title Artists (real names in brackets) Rec. Date
1 W-420
W-421
Three Blind Mice ; Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Little Bo Peep
Uncle Cherry (= Robert Howe ?) 15-Feb-1924
2 W-425
W-428
Hush-a-Bye Baby; Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Uncle Cherry (= Robert Howe ?) 16-Feb-1924
3 W-422
W-427
Ding Dong Bell
Where Are You Going To, My Pretty Maid?
Uncle Cherry (= Robert Howe ?) 15-Feb-1924
16-Feb-1924
4 W-436
W-437
The Laughing Friar
Felix March
Billy Whitlock (vocal)
Billy Whitlock (bells)
12-Mar-1924
5 W-435
W-438
The Merry Little Twins
Mike In A Fit
Billy Whitlock (vocal)
Billy Whitlock (bells)
12-Mar-1924
6 W-413
W-414
Punch And Judy, part 1
Punch And Judy, part 2
Mr. D'Avison (entertainer) 13-Feb-1924
7 W-415
W-416
Punch And Judy, part 3
Punch And Judy, part 4
Mr. D'Avison (entertainer) 13-Feb-1924
8 W-349
W-384
Dear Little Shamrock
Felix Kept On Walking
Hal Jones (= Harry Thornton)
Eric Smart (= Harry Fay)
28-Sep-1923
21-Dec-1923
8   Felix Kept On Walking
Maggie, Yes Ma!
   
9 W-385
W-394
The Arrow And The Song
Last Night On The Back Porch
Hal Jones (= Harry Thornton)
Geo. Bates (= Robert Howe)
23-Jan-1924
9 W-394
W-418-4
Last Night On The Back Porch
When It's Night-Time In Italy
Geo. Bates (= Robert Howe)
Eric Smart (= Harry Fay)
23-Jan-1924
15-Feb-1924
10   Oh Gee, Oh Gosh, Oh Golly I'm In Love
Why Should I Weep About One Sweetie?
   
11 W-366
W-409
Railway Galop
Felix Kept On Walking (fox trot)
Pigmy Military Band (= Anderson's Band)
Pigmy Orchestra (= Marlborough Band)
7-Oct-1923
26-Jan-1924
11 W-408
W-409
Maggie, Yes Ma! (fox trot)
Felix Kept On Walking (fox trot)
? (= Marlborough Band) 26-Jan-1924
12 W-367
W-402
Lustige Bruder (Jolly Brothers) (from "Faust" (galop)
Arabianna (fox trot)
Pigmy Imperial Band (= Anderson's Band)
Pigmy Orchestra (= Marlborough Band)
7-Oct-1923
26-Jan-1924
12 W-367
W-401
Lustige Bruder (Jolly Brothers)  (from "Faust" (galop)
Last Night On The Back Porch (fox trot)
Pigmy Imperial Band (= Anderson's Band)
Pigmy Orchestra (= Marlborough Band)
7-Oct-1923
26-Jan-1924
12 W-401
W-402
Last Night On The Back Porch (fox trot)
Arabianna (fox trot)
 ?  (= Marlborough Band)  26-Jan-1924
13 W-426
W-429
Oranges And Lemons
Georgie Porgie; Goosey Goosey Gander
Uncle Cherry (= Robert Howe ?) 16-Feb-1924
14 W-353
W-442
Mary Of Argyle
Oh ! Granny, What Big Eyes You've Got
Joseph Coates (with piano accmp) (= Robert Howe)
John Hall (= Harry Fay)
28-Sep-1923
11-Apr-1924
15 W-330
W-348
Barney Google
There Is A Tavern In The Town
Roy Grotes (= Will Terry)
Hal Jones (= Harry Thornton)
25-Sep-1923
28-Sep-1923
16 W-346
W-389
The Will O' The Wisp
Dirty Hands, Dirty Face
Hal Jones (= Harry Thornton)
Eric Smart (= Harry Fay)
28-Sep-1923
23-Jan-1924
17 W-293
W-477
Molly Kennedy
Yankee Doodle
Roy Grotes (= Will Terry)
Joseph Coates (= Harry Thornton)
20-Apr-1923
4-Jul-1924
18 W-315
W-476
Granny's Song At Twilight
Men Of Harlech
John Hall (= Robert Howe)
Joseph Coates (= Harry Thornton)
22-Sep-1923
4-July-1924
19 W-471
W-478
The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls
Riviera Rose
Jos. Coates (= Robert Howe)
John Hall (= Robert Howe)
4-July-1924
10-July-1924
20   The Cat's Whiskers
Killarney
   
21 W-468
W-475
Why Did I Kiss That Girl?
Comin' Thro' The Rye
Eric Smart (= Harry Fay)
Jos. Coates (= Robert Howe)
28-Jun-1924
4-Jul-1924
22   What'll I Do?
Annie Laurie
   
23 W-446-2
W-465
Home, Sweet Home
Home In Pasadena
Jos. Coates (= Robert Howe)
John Hall (= Robert Howe)
22-May-1924
28-Jun-1924
24 W-466-2
W-474
I Like A Dough Nut
D'Ye Ken John Peel?
Peter Hunt (= Lionel Rothery)
Jos. Coates (= Robert Howe)
22-Jul-1924
4-Jul-1924
25 W-467
W-472
The Plain Jane Of The Family
Rule Britannia
Peter Hunt
Jos. Coates
 
26 W-461 ?
.
Why Did I Kiss That Girl? (fox trot)
What'll I Do? (waltz)
   
26 W-461
W-508
Why Did I Kiss That Girl? (fox trot)
A Bit Of Welsh
The Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.)
John Robinson (bells) (= Billy Whitlock)
27-Jun-1924
27-Sep-1924
27 W-392
W-458
Emerald
Home In Pasadena (fox trot)
K. George (piccolo) (= George Ackroyd)
The Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.)
23-Jan-1924
27-Jun-1924
27 W-458
W-459
Home In Pasadena (fox trot)
Gigolette (fox trot)
The Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) 27-Jun-1924
28 W-351
W-390
MacGregor's Gathering
Maggie, Yes Ma (Come Right Upstairs)
Geo. Bates (with piano accmp) (= Robert Howe)
Eric Stuart (with piano accmp) (= Harry Fay & ? Bertha Wilmott)
28-Sep-1923
23-Jan-1924
29 W-418
W-456
When It's Night-Time In Italy
The Irish Emigrant
Eric Smart (= Harry Fay)
Geo. Bates (= Orpheus (saxophone))
15-Feb-1924
19-Jun-1924
30 W-419
W-449-2
Why Should I Weep About One Sweetie?
I Am A Friar Of Orders Grey
Eric Smart (= Harry Fay)
Geo. Bates (= Robert Howe)
15-Feb-1924
22-May-1924
31 W-143
W-408
March Lorraine
Maggie, Yes Ma (come right upstairs) (fox trot)
Pigmy Imperial Band
Pigmy Orch. (= Marlborough Band)
c 1921
26-Jan-1924
32 W-402 ?
.
Arabianna (fox trot)
Commando March
? (= Marlborough Band ?)
accordion solo
 
33 W-463
W-506
What'll I Do (waltz)
A Bit Of The Ocean
The Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.)
John Robinson (bells) (= Billy Whitlock)
27-Jun-1924
27-Sep-1924
34 W-459
W-498
Gigolette
A Bit Of Scotch
Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch)
bell solo (= Billy Whitlock)
27-Jun-1924
24-Sep-1924
35 W-360
W-460
Sailors' Hornpipe
Horsey, Keep Your Tail Up (fox trot)
K. George (piccolo) (= George Ackroyd)
Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.)
6-Oct-1923
27-Jun-1924
36 146
W-462
Under The Double Eagle
Riviera Rose (waltz)
Pigmy Imperial Orch.
Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.)
1921
27-Jun-1924
37 W-499
W-502
A Bit Of Irish
Sammy (fox trot)
John Robinson (bells) (= Billy Whitlock)
Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.)
24-Sep-1924
25-Sep-1924
38 W-500
W-501
Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers (fox trot)
Oh Eva (fox trot)
The Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) 25-Sep-1924
39 W-502
W-505
What Do You Do Sunday, Mary? (fox trot)
A Bit Of English
Pigmy Orchestra
John Robinson (bells)) (= Billy Whitlock)
25-Sep-1924
27-Sep-1924
40 W-504
W-507
Doodle Doodle Do (fox trot)
A Bit Of America
Pigmy Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.)
John Robinson (bells)) (= Billy Whitlock)
25-Sep-1924
27-Sep-1924
41 W-559
W-567
With Sword And Lance (march)
It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo' (fox trot)
Empire Guards Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
Pigmyphone Dance Orchestra (= Greening's Dance O.)
31-Mar-1925
6-Apr-1925
42 W-439
W-557
It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo'
The Outlaw
Eric Smart (= Harry Fay)
Joseph Coates (= Harry Thornton)
7-Apr-1924
27-Mar-1925
43 W-541
W-544
Eat More Fruit (fox trot)
Nursery Rhyme Medley (fox trot)
Pigmyphone Dance Orchestra (= Greening's Dance O.) 6-Mar-1925
44 W-542
W-545
Just Like A Beautiful Story (fox trot)
Union Jack Medley (one step)
Pigmyphone Dance Orchestra (= Greening's Dance O.) 6-Mar-1925
45 W-543
W-560
I Can't Help Loving That Girl (fox trot)
A Bunch Of Roses (Spanish march)
Pigmyphone Dance Orchestra (= Greening's Dance O.)
Empire Guards Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
20-Feb-1925
31-Mar-1925
46 W-531
W-550
I Love The Moon (waltz)
Waltz In D Flat (Chopin)
Pigmyphone Dance Orchestra (= Greening's Dance O.)
M. de Rees (piano) (= "Cyril Carlton")
14-Jan-1925
10-Mar-1925
47 W-521
W-551
All Alone (waltz)
Alice, Where Art Thou?
Pigmyphone Dance Orchestra (= Greening's Dance O.)
M. de Rees (piano) (= "Cyril Carlton")
20-Dec-1924
10-Mar-1925
48 W-561
W-565
Entry Of The Gladiators (march)
Tea For Two (fox trot)
Empire Guards Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
Pigmyphone Dance Orchestra (= Greening's Dance O.)
31Mar-1925
6-Apr-1925
49 W-553-2
W-576-3
Laughing Song ('Samuel Johnson's Christening' in file)
Blue Bells Of Scotland
Fred Masters (real person?)
T. Rotherham (bells) (= Jesse Ross = Billy Whitlock ?)
28-Apr-1925
28-May-1925
50 W-539
W-548
Follow The Swallow
To Anthea
T. Thomas (= Robert Howe ?)
Geo. Bates (= Robert Howe)
18-Feb-1925
10-Mar-1925
51 W-549
W-563
Auld Lang Syne
Tea For Two
Geo. Bates (= Robert Howe)
Geo. Bates & Miss Colling (= Robert Howe & Doris Coppard)
10-Mar-1925
 2-Apr-1925
52        
53 W-540
W-555
Let Me Be The First To Kiss You Good Morning
Harbour Lights
T. Thomas (= Robert Howe ?)
Joseph Coates (= Harry Thornton)
18 Feb 1925
26 Mar 1925
54        
55 W-558
W-572
Under The Double Eagle (march)
I Want To Be Happy
Empire Guards Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
George Bates & Harold Conry (= Robert Howe & ?)
31 Mar 1925
27 Apr 1925
56 W-562
W-573-2
Territorial March
Rose Marie
Empire Guards Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
Geo. Bates (= Robert Howe)
31 Mar 1925
30 Apr 1925
57 W-471
W-574
The Harp That Once Thro' Tara's Halls
Indian Love Call
G. Bates (= Robert Howe) 4 Jul 1924
30 Apr 1925
58        
59        
60        
61        
62 W-352
W-584
Simon The Cellarer
The Old Top Hat That Father Wore
J. Coates (with piano accmp) (= Robert Howe)
George Berry (with piano accmp) (= Harry Fay)
28 Sep 1923
16 Jun 1925
63 W-487
W-492

Little Bo Peep
Old King Cole

Uncle Ned (= Robert Howe and/or Harry Fay) 31 Jul 1924
64 W-453
W-490
Three Blind Mice
Jack & Jill
Uncle Ned (= Robert Howe)
Uncle Ned (= Robert Howe and/or Harry Fay)
18 Jun, 1924
31 Jul, 1934
65 W-493
W-495
Georgie Porgie
Three Little Kittens
Uncle Ned (= Robert Howe and/or Harry Fay) 31 Jul 1924
66 W-489
W-491
Girls And Boys Come Out To Play
Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat
Uncle Ned (= Robert Howe and/or Harry Fay) 31 Jul 1924
67        
68        
69        
70 W-371
W-621
Reminiscences Of England, part 2
When You And I Were Seventeen
Pigmy Military Band (= Anderson's Band)
Joe Murrell (= Joseph Cheetham)
7 Oct 1923
30 Jul 1925
71        
72        
73 W-636
W-642
Regimental Marches No. 6
Where Is That Girl Who Was Stolen From Me? (fox trot)
Pigmy Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
Pigmy Dance Orchestra (= Salon Crystal Orch.)
21 Aug 1925
28 Aug 1925
74        
75 W-634
W-640
Regimental Marches No. 4
When You And I Were Seventeen (waltz)
Pigmy Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
Pigmy Dance Orchestra (= Salon Crystal Orch.)
21 Aug 1925
28 Aug 1925
76 W-633
W-639
Regimental Marches No. 3
Ah-Ha (fox trot)
Pigmy Military Band (=  London Fire Brigade Band)
Pigmy Dance Orchestra (= Salon Crystal Orch.)
21 Aug 1925
28 Aug 1925
77 W-632
W-637
Regimental Marches, No. 2
Who Takes Care Of The Caretaker's Daughter? (fox trot)
Pigmy Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band)
Pigmy Dance Orchestra (= Salon Crystal Orch.)
21 Aug 1925
28 Aug 1925
78        
79 W-375
W-663
The Pole Star (waltz)
I Want To Be Happy (fox trot)
Pigmy Dance Orchestra (= Anderson's Band) 7 Oct 1923
29 Sep 1925
80