The page is about the reel of tape came with a recently acquired Brush Soundmirror BK-401. While I was happy to get this machine for $10, I was especially interested in what might be on the reel. I loaded it on my Akai 1730D-SS and gave it a play. Right off I could tell it was recorded on the Brush at it was full track and at 7-1/2 ips.
The tape has the end of the National Farm and Home Hour, a commerical, and then two seperate recordings of what amount to infomercials for the Peckham Nash Company, advertising their 1953 and 1954 cars for sale. The recording on both ends of the reel have speed issues where the speed changes. I did try to make some correction the second commericial.
Here are the files. Click on the name to play it.
The entire reel - Directly transferred, with no editing. (32:16) 41 MB
The National Farm and Home Hour - The is just an excerpt from the end of the program. After market prices, it features a commercial for Allis-Chalmers, the show's sponsor. Announcer: Everett Mitchell. There is some speed changes, probably induced by the recorder.
(2:41) 3.5 MB
The Peckham Nash Company - This is what today we would call an "infomercial." Is a 15-minute interview with the sales manager and owner of the Peckham Nash Company, an automobile dealer in Billings, MT. They are showing off the 1953 models and since they mention that they are giving away "Easter hams," I suspect that this was early spring of 1953.
The recording starts with a commerical for S and L Stores, advertising sheets on sale. Hope sheets, 72x99-inches are $1.77. Pillow cases are 43 cents.
The announcer says that he is speaking from Peckham Nash Company at the corner of 1st Ave and 31st Street in Billings where they are showing off the 1953 Nash Rambler. He talks to Ray Olhouser, one of the salesmen. Ray goes over the car in detail showing how the wood grain finish was applied and the maintenance of it. He also extolls the uni-body construction. Then they talk about how one can sleep in the car.
After a bit, he interviews a woman who owns one and talks about how she uses it in her job as a photographer and as a camper. Then Jack Peckham, the owner, takes over and mentions they are giving away roses for the ladies, balloons and lollipops for the kids, and are also giving away two Easter hams. Jack also plugs a boat show at 504 N. 29th Street. Ray returns and talks about the spare tire and how to open the trunk. He also mentions the intense red color.
(14:51) 18.8 MB
The Peckham Nash Company - This is the second recording from the reel and, again, is an infomercial for Peckham Nash. At about 12 minutes into the recording the speed warbles, bad. This file is how it came off the reel. Below is one where I attempted to make some correction.
It starts out with a commerical for "Tame" hair "invisible" dressing. This is at the end of a show with Arlene Francis and Bill Cullen.
This is from KOOK, recorded with a microphone. It has a commercial for products at Grand Hardware. Every once in a bit, someone leans into the microphone and says something like "Buy Nash" which makes me believe that this tape, and the machine, came from the Peckham family.
Then it goes to the infomercial with announcer Glen Lockwood. He is introducing the 1954 Nash and says that Peckham Nash is at 1201 1st Avenue North which is a different location from last year. He wishes everyone a "Merry Christmas" and references Christmas shopping so I am guessing this is December 1953.
Jack plugs the Toys for Tots program. Ray Olhouser comes in and talks about the holidays. New sales people are introduced: Art Schneider from Columbus talks about the cars; Ralph Gimble from Fromberg encourages folks to come down and look at the cars. Jack reviews some of the unique features of the Nash. They are the widest cars allowing 4 across in the back and safer because of the uni-body construction. There are 28 color combinations.
(14:40) 18.3 MB
The Peckham Nash Company - This is the same as the above file but with some speed correction applied to the final 3 minutes.
(15:49) 20.3 MB