[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

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]

Item Date:  1894

Stock No:  40525      £75

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