Science
[BLOCK
(Julius 1858-1934, Philophonist of German origin, Pioneer or Russian Sound Recordings)]
Unsigned Russian Cabinet photograph of an unidentified sitter inscribed on the verso to Block
the image shows a distinguished looking bearded man, half length with one hand in his jacket and the inscription says that it is a memento to the respected Yuliy Ivanovich Block from a sincerely devoted [signature... K. Samus...?]..., 6½ x 4¼, St Petersburg, 1st January
Item Date: 1894
£75
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Background
In 1889, Block visited the laboratory of Thomas Edison in New Jersey and he got permission from the inventor to distribute a phonograph in Russia. He presented the invention at the court of the Russian Emperor Alexander III, demonstrated the apparatus in music and scientific societies - the St. Petersburg and Moscow Conservatories, the Imperial Academy of Sciences, etc. He arranged phonographic evenings in Moscow and St. Petersburg and made the first sound recordings in Russia of musical and recital performances and voices of prominent contemporaries. Transcription Глубокоуважаемому Юлию Ивановичу Блок на добрую память от сердечно преданного уважающего [подпись… К.Самус…?] 1 января 1894 Спб [Санкт-Петербург] Translation As a memento to the respected Yuliy Ivanovich Block from a sincerely devoted [signature... K. Samus...?] January 1, 1894 SPb [Saint Petersburg]
Stock No. 40525
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