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From 1905, a late concert cylinder recording of the comic song, Everybody Works But Father, sung by Bob Roberts.

Everybody Works But Father

Company Edison's National Phonograph Company
Cylinder # 9100 (5" diameter)
Category Song
Title Everybody Works But Father
Performed by Bob Roberts
Circa October 1905
Announcement "Everybody Works But Father, sung by Bob Roberts.  Edison record."

Bob Roberts was a popular singer of comic and "race" songs, recording dozens of selections for Edison from 1904 through 1908.

To hear Everybody Works But Father   —

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This particular record is a bit unusual in that it is a late-period concert cylinder (5" diameter, as compared with the standard-sized cylinder of just over 2" diameter).   Concert-sized cylinders, originally introduced in 1898, were never a commercial success.   Although sales of concert cylinders limped along for years, by 1905, the date of this record, they were obsolete and somewhat uncommon.   In 1905, standard-sized wax cylinders sold for 35¢ and concert records (which had sold in the $4 and $5 range in 1898) sold for 75¢.   In 2024 dollars, a concert record of this vintage and in this condition would be worth from $140 to $180!