Pathé Chanticleer

The E-Discographer #1 May, 2000 -

One of the more unusual discs of the 1920's was put out by Pathé, which produced a variegated record that combined the usual black shellac with the orange-brown of its budget Perfect label.
At first glance these might be mistaken for pieces of institutional linoleum and some collectors suspect they were accidents but the following item from Talking Machine World, June 15, 1926, shows they were intentional:
"In the record field the Pathe' Co. is now marketing a new record known as the Chanticleer. It is a mottled record. The conventional black of the Pathe' record has been replaced in this instance by a combination of black and maroon, which gives it an excellent display value. "
Their striking looks did little for sales and these oddities, like most American Pathé laterals, are uncommon compared to identical performances released on the cheaper Perfects.

Details on the illustrated item are:
Pathé 25207
What does It Matter? (Irving Berlin) mx. 107422a
Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike)
B) I'm Back in Love Again (Cliff Friend) mx. 107418b
Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike) and his Hot Combination

I can only go by the notes on file cards...but I have five PA's 36480-36595,
all variegated, as is 32239 (same issue date). All the earlier and later =
ones are black. BTW, does anyone know when Perfect changed to black wax?
-Steven C. Barr
I have listed only Cat.No. and recording date. All Pathes.
7508 March, 1926
36428 March, 1926
36437 April,1926
36486 July,1926
Have had 7508 in the past as plain black wax. I'm fairly certain I've seen a
copy of 36428 as well which was plain black.
Four discs is hardly enough to use as a realistic sample,but they do all
seem to be within a short period of time.
-Joe Moore.

-[The late] John R. T. Davies of England adds: In some instances in examination and comparison the brown element of the mottled pressings appears to be of more durable material than that found in many Perfects (some of which are extremely soft and even crumbly).
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