Hi,
 
  I am preparing an article which involves tracking down the origins  of 
the famous John McCullough at the Bloomingdale Asylum. Of course, he died in  
1885, before any cylinders and discs were being made.
 
  The oldest reference I have found so far is Dec 1888, at a Xmas  Party in 
Ohio, but Robert Conot claims (in his Edison bio), without proof, that  it 
was already being played in W. Orange, NJ in June of that year. I cannot 
find  any recording 'ads' (catalogs etc) for it between 1888 and Sept  1894.
 
 It also appeared on Berliner and early Victor discs (sometimes as  Ravings 
of a Maniac).
 
 Is there anything else I should consider?
 
Thanks!
 
Allen K.