I'd almost forgotten about this, but in 2006, I appeared as a guest "expert" consultant (as did Dick Spottswood) on the PBS television show History Detectives.   We were consulted because an individual bought a couple of Paramount metal parts at a yard sale in Port Washington, WI, and wanted to know what was on them.  It was an interesting and fun program, and the typed transcript (no video, I'm afraid) can be found on the link below (note that the title incorrectly reads Long Island, not Wisconsin!):

http://www-tc.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/static/media/transcripts/2011-05-12/411_paramount_records.pdf

Jon Samuels





On Sunday, November 3, 2013 1:22 PM, Steve Ramm <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
 
I've been plowing through the samples and some .pdfs of the printed  
materials in prep for my review. As Martin says some are really worn and some  
sound crisp and clear. As was pointed out the notes say all transfers were made 
by Chris King (who does great work). But it may be the case that best 
available  copy was obtained.

We also have to remember 2 things:

The 800 recordings here are only Part 1 of a TWO part set (Part Two due in  
Fall 2014). And to listen to all will take a 40 hour week. Most of us are 
old  enough that we don't have that time left (not to forget the thousands of 
hours  in our collection - much of which we will never get to). So this is 
for  completists only.

The other half of the package (not counting the player) is the two Volumes  
of PRINTED material: The 180 page ART Book and the 300 page Field Guide. 
These  are graphically gorgeous. (Then there is the 200 pieces of "ephemera". 

My guess is that Volume 2 will. not require a new "player" but just a new  
flash drive and probably a new Fied guide. So it should be cheaper.

This set is Pricey but it's also 1/3 the price of Black Europe that Rainer  
priced for Bear Family. Rainer said they shipped this week and I know that 
some  ARSClist members pre-ordered. So I'm anxious to read their reviews as 
soon as  they get through them. (Of course, remember that there is over 40 
hours of  material on those CDs as well so it may be time. BFR does not send 
review copies  (to my knowledge) - even digital samples so I'm not sure if 
they will get major  published reviews. But who Knows. We'll see.

Steve Ramm