Ellen Beach Yaw -Star-Spangled Banner, Signed, 1913 RCA Victor Test Pressing, V+
$
100
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Description
Exceptionally rare signed Victor test pressing from 1913, featuring celebrated soprano Ellen Beach Yaw.
(NOTE: This auction is for the record only, separate notes featured in the photos are part of a larger collection).
This recording on the RCA Victor label, created as a test pressing from the original masters at Keen-O-Phone and Edison, were engineered by Fred Hager, a pioneer in early recorded sound.
Key highlights of the collection:
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Personally signed by Ellen Beach Yaw and Antonio Altamirano, adding verifiable provenance.
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One-sided Victor records, featuring embossed labels unique to the era.
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Includes an early rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
12" 78rpm format – produced during the golden age of Victor recordings.
Historically significant recording – Yaw’s rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Ellen Beach Yaw (1869–1947) was an American soprano known for her extraordinary vocal range, reportedly capable of reaching high F above high C, earning her the nickname Skylark, the Lark of the Lyric Stage. Her talent gained international recognition, with performances at major venues, including command performances for British royalty. She was one of the earliest sopranos to experiment with recorded sound, making her recordings highly sought after by collectors.
Yaw’s rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner remains a fascinating piece of early 20th-century vocal artistry, blending her soaring tones with historical significance. This signed Victor test pressing is an incredibly rare artifact of her legacy.
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