Sweet and Low (1920)

The Perkins House in Colfax, WA has a large number of historical items. Including phonograph records, many more than a hundred years old and containing songs seldom if ever heard today. These records are made of shellac, not vinyl. We in the Perkins House are honored to share our collection with you.



Sweet and Low Waltz

COLUMBIA GRAPHOPHONE COMPANY # A2814 (side B)
Charles Johnson, composer
Art Hickman’s Orchestra, musicians
Issued 1920


Johnson was an extremely popular rag-time composer. But this waltz, one of his forays into more classical music, was one of his greatest hits.


The Columbia Graphophone Company, founded in 1887, was a major player in the early recording industry alongside competitors like the Edison Phonograph Company and the Victor Talking Machine Company. The company went through several reorganizations and different corporate identities over its history. The Columbia trademark was eventually sold to Sony Music Entertainment in 1990.