Little Wonder Records

Henry Waterson's Little Wonder records were sold in Woolworths' American stores (along with other five-and-ten cent store chains) for 10 cents. They were single-sided and played at 80 rpm, running for only a minute a side. The grooves were squeezed up to fit them onto such a small disc which reduced the sound quality, but they gave a reasonable sound for the price. To keep the price down they were sold without a sleeve.

At a time when the big record labels (Columbia, Victor and Edison) were fighting to keep the price of ten and twelve inch records up near to a dollar, which kept them out of the price-bracket of most consumers, the ten cent record attracted a whole new audience. As well as being sold in the North American stores, the records have another link with the Company. Many were actually recorded in Columbia's studios on the lower floors of the Woolworth Building in Broadway Place, New York. Click one of these links to hear one of the records.

For a great website about Little Wonder Records please take a look at littlewonderrecords.com.