Lot 12 Vintage RadioDisc Electrical Transcription Records Harding College for Sale

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Lot 12 Vintage RadioDisc Electrical Transcription Records Harding College For Sale

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Lot 12 Vintage RadioDisc Electrical Transcription Records Harding College:
$175.00

Offered for sale is an expanded, rare, and fascinating lot of 12 vintage 16-inch "RadioDisc" electrical transcription records produced by the Harding College National Program based in Searcy, Arkansas.

These transcription discs feature episodes from the historic educational radio series The Land of the Free, which presented dramatic biographies celebrating American opportunity, industry, and freedom. Each weekly program was prepared under the direction of Dr. George S. Benson, President of Harding College, with commentary provided by Dr. Benson himself and dramatic performances brought to life by notable actors of the era.

This complete lot of twelve transcription records features profiles of prominent American historical figures, inventors, scientists, and industrialists:

1. William Penn (English-born champion of religious tolerance and founder of Pennsylvania)

2. Edward A. Deeds (Industrialist and inventor associated with the self-starter ignition system)

3. Samuel Gompers (Labor leader and first president of the American Federation of Labor)

4. Tom Girdler (Industrialist who organized and ran the Republic Steel Corporation)

5. Charles E. Ives (World-famous composer and insurance executive, Pulitzer Prize winner)

6. Russel Sage (Financier and philanthropist whose fortune established the Russell Sage Foundation)

7. Captain John Smith (English colonist and leader in Jamestown, Virginia)

8. Keith Funston (President of the New York Stock Exchange and Trinity College)

9. Will James (Montana-born writer and illustrator celebrated for his Western cattle range stories)

10. Frank Charles Laubach (Renowned missionary and pioneer in adult literacy and alphabet creation)

11. William E. Lawrence (Lithuanian-born writer and scientist known for reporting on atomic experiments)

12. Thomas J. Valentino (Sound-effect record manufacturer who pioneered putting sound effects on easy-to-handle records)

Maker Biography & Historical Information

Harding College and the National Program

During the mid-20th century, under the leadership of president Dr. George S. Benson (serving from 1936 to 1965), Harding College (now Harding University) in Searcy, Arkansas, became a powerhouse for conservative economic education and anti-communist advocacy. Benson firmly believed that the American public needed education on the virtues of free enterprise, capitalism, and the U.S. Constitution. To achieve this, the college launched ambitious nationwide media campaigns, distributing syndicated columns, films, pamphlets, and radio programs like The Land of the Free.

What are Electrical Transcriptions (RadioDiscs)?

Unlike standard consumer phonograph records of the era (which spun at 78 RPM and were short in duration), electrical transcription records were professional-grade, large-format discs (usually 16 inches in diameter) manufactured specifically for broadcast radio stations. They spun at 33 1/3 RPM to allow a full 15-minute or 30-minute program to fit onto a single side. Radio stations used these discs to syndicate pre-recorded content across regional networks before magnetic tape recording became widespread in the late 1940s and 1950s.

Interesting Facts:

Broadcast Syndication: Programs produced by Harding College's National Program were syndicated to hundreds of radio stations nationwide during the Cold War era as part of a massive campaign to promote American patriotism and free-market capitalism.

Format Evolution: These massive 16-inch lacquer or vinyl-coated transcription discs required specialized heavy transcription turntables found only in professional radio broadcasting studios of the mid-20th century.

Star Talent: Voice work and dramatic portrayals on these educational programs frequently featured talented New York and Hollywood radio actors (such as Francis Desales, Wesley Addy, Peter Capel, and Hal Studer) who worked on syndicated historical educational serials.

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Lot 12 Vintage RadioDisc Electrical Transcription Records Harding College For Sale

Lot 12 Vintage RadioDisc Electrical Transcription Records Harding College: $175.00

Lot 12 Vintage RadioDisc Electrical Transcription Records Harding College:
$175.00