THE DAWN OF HI-FI CRITICISM

Haggin, B.H. (1900–1987) ; Music Critic

Music on Records: A Guide to the Music, A Guide to the Records.[Signed]

New York: Oxford University Press, 1938. First Edition, First Printing. Hardcover with Dust Jacket.

A seminal record-collecting manual from the foundational era of music criticism, signed by one of the 20th century's most influential and uncompromising critics. 

This work represents a primary document in the history of recorded sound, offering a rigorous dual guide to both the compositions and the technical fidelity of early 78-rpm discs. Published at a time when the phonograph was transitioning from a novelty to a serious instrument for scholarship, Haggin's analysis remains a vital benchmark for the evolution of classical and jazz discography.

KEY FEATURES 
+++ Physical: Full navy cloth with gilt-stamped spine; bindings are tight and square. Features the original Art Deco-influenced typographic dust jacket design. Oxford University Press, New York, 1938; First Printing. +++ Specs: 7.5 x 5 inches; xii, 164 pages.
+++ Content: Comprehensive critical survey of the 1930s recording catalog, including early electrical recordings and technical assessments of audio quality. 
+++ Signed by the author, B.H. Haggin, in blue ink on the front free endpaper.

CONDITION:  Good / Fair
+++ THE BOOK: The bindings are tight and square, holding the text block firmly. The internal pages are clean and free of markings, showing only light, even age-toning consistent with 1930s paper stock. There is moderate shelf handling wear to the cloth extremities.
+++ DUST JACKET: The dust jacket is present and shows wear consistent with its age, including a scuff on the lower front panel and fraying at the spine tips. There are chips along the upper rear edge and two small pieces of clear tape applied to the jacket surface. The jacket is now preserved in a new, clear Mylar archival protective sleeve.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE --
B.H. Haggin was a towering figure in American music criticism, known for his long tenure at 'The Nation' and his close association with Arturo Toscanini. This volume was his first book-length effort to systematize the chaotic world of 78-rpm record collecting.

At the time of publication in 1938, recorded sound was still a relatively young phenomenon. This guide functioned as both a consumer advocate and a scholarly apparatus, helping a new generation of listeners navigate the complexities of electrical recording vs. acoustic recording.

Beyond its technical utility, the book reflects a critical moment in the democratization of high culture, as Haggin sought to provide the public with the tools to build world-class music libraries in their own homes.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Critical Methodology: Documents Haggin’s signature 'objective' style, which prioritize the musical score and technical execution over the personality of the performer.
+++ Discographical History: Serves as a 'census' of the 1938 recording market, capturing the state of the industry just before the introduction of the LP.
+++ Influence: Haggin’s work here laid the groundwork for modern record review publications like 'The Gramophone' and 'High Fidelity'.

SUBJECTS: Music Criticism, Discography, 1930s Recording Industry, B.H. Haggin, Classical Music History, Jazz Records. Signed First Edition, Association Copies, Reference Works.

Item #20282

Price: $34.00