Tony Martin, Eddie Fisher, Michael Holliday - 15 x Demo Samples feat. Early Pop & Classic Crooners - Disque shellac 78 tours - 1950

A Fine Collection of Fifteen British Demonstration 78 RPM Records – Featuring Early Pop & Classic Crooners

A rare and fascinating selection of fifteen original British demonstration / sample 78 rpm records, issued primarily during the 1950s – a golden era for smooth vocal pop, crooners, and sophisticated orchestral arrangements.
Demo pressings were not intended for sale to the public and were produced in very small quantities for radio, reviewers, and industry use, making them significantly rarer than commercially released copies.

This collection presents a remarkable snapshot of the period’s most beloved pop voices – including Tony Martin, Eddie Fisher, Michael Holliday, Edna Savage, Kathie Kay, and more – all supported by top-tier orchestras such as Ron Goodwin, Frank Cordell, Hugo Winterhalter, and Henri René. A highly desirable set for collectors of crooner-era recordings, archivists, or enthusiasts of vintage 1950s pop.

Most of the demonstration records in this collection are pressed with audio on only one side, with the reverse side left completely blank and finished in glossy black, exactly as shown in the photographs. Surfaces are in excellent condition, with strong sheen and minimal handling marks. Each disc is housed in a plain brown paper sleeve, typical for industry sample issues. All labels are marked “DEMONSTRATION SAMPLE – NOT FOR SALE”, confirming their non-commercial, limited-distribution status.

Highlights of the Collection
Tony Martin – “Just a Gigolo” – HMV POP 173 – UK – Demo Sample
A smooth and stylish rendition of the standard, delivered with Martin’s velvety baritone and supported by Buddy Cole’s orchestra and The Interludes.
Eddie Fisher – “Dungaree Doll” – HMV POP 171 – UK – Demo Sample
One of Fisher’s trademark upbeat hits – a perfect blend of 1950s pop charm and polished orchestration by Hugo Winterhalter.
Edna Savage – “Tell Me, Tell Me, Tell Me, That You Love Me” – Parlophone R 4139 – UK – Demo Sample
A bright, emotive vocal performance from one of Britain’s favourite female singers of the period, arranged by Ron Goodwin.

Collection includes
Joan Small – “Change of Heart” – Parlophone R 4142 – UK – Demo Sample
Michael Holliday – “Yellow Rose of Texas” – Columbia (No Cat. No.) – UK – Demo Sample
Gerry Miller – “Yellow Rose of Texas” – Nixa (No Cat. No.) – UK – Demo Sample
Edna Savage – “Please Hurry Home” – Parlophone R 4139 – UK – Demo Sample
Kathie Kay – “There Is Somebody Waiting for Me” – HMV POP 167 – UK – Demo Sample
Kathie Kay – “Old Scotch Mother” – HMV POP 167 – UK – Demo Sample
Tony Martin – “Just a Gigolo” – HMV POP 173 – UK – Demo Sample
Kathie Kaye – “Suddenly There’s a Valley” – HMV POP 126 – UK – Demo Sample
Boyd Bennett & His Rockets – “Little Ole You-All” – Parlophone R 4063 – UK – Demo Sample
Alma Warren – “Stealin’” – Parlophone R 4118 – UK – Demo Sample
Tony Martin – “Love, You Funny Thing” – HMV POP 173 – UK – Demo Sample
Edna Savage – “Tell Me, Tell Me, Tell Me, That You Love Me” – Parlophone R 4139 – UK – Demo Sample
Eddie Fisher – “Dungaree Doll” – HMV POP 171 – UK – Demo Sample
The Hilltoppers – “I Must Be Dreaming” – London HL 8168 – UK – Demo Sample
Johnnie Ray – “A Heart Goes in Handy” – Philips PB 546 – UK – Demo Sample
Gogi Grant – “Suddenly There’s a Valley” – London – UK – Demo Sample