Eclipse Records

During the 1920s Woolworth built a substantial music business in the UK, working initially with two suppliers in competition, before they chose to merge so that they could afford to switch from traditional mechanical recording, where singers and players had to perform had to perform into a huge horn, to the new electrical standard using the first micropohones and the same underlying technology that are still widely used today. The upgrade allowed them to switch from tiny five or six inch discs to a larger seven inch (177mm diameter) size marketed as "The Victory" from 1929 and, after growing a further inch to 203mm adding another minute's playing time, "Eclipse Records" from 1932. By 1934 sales had broken through the million a week mark across the 600 strong chain of High Street stores.

The immense sales were driven by an ultra-low price which competitors struggled to match, clever marketing and a varied and ever-changing catalogue of titles. At sixpence (2½p) the eight inch discs looked and sounded similar to the Broadcast label, which was also made by Crystalate and marketed for one shilling and threepence (15 old pence, equivalent to 7p, nearly three times as much.) Often times the records featured the same artists, recorded at the same time, although Woolworth's might have to wait a few weeks before a title became available. The Woolworth Buyer had brought the cleverest trick, teaching Crystalate to buy out artists from their royalties, persuading even quite big names that cash in the hand was preferable to future promises, and turning a blind eye when many big names recorded under pseudonyms while under contract to other parties..

Woolworth built strong followings for its popular songs from the shows, instrumentals, marching bands, Children's Songs in brightly coloured sleeves, and even religious music, making sure there were always plenty to choose from. We've digitized some of our huge collection and made them available to play on-line or download here in the Woolworths Museum.

A grand little lad was our Albert, all dressed in his best, quite a swell, with a stick with a horse's head handle, the finest that Woolworth could sell

The Lion and Albert

Teddy Williams performs the Stanley Holloway hit for Woolworth's

Eclipse Gramophone Record of the Lion and Albert from 1932. The vocal was performed by Teddy Williams

"The Lion and Albert" a monologue made famous by Stanley Holloway was recorded for Woolworth's by Teddy Williams back in 1932. His accent can best be described as Lancashire meets Yorkshire on a train to Essex, but the result is still quite fun.

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The Lion and Albert

Teddy Williams performs the Stanley Holloway hit for Woolworth's

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