Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound. Founded in January 1889 in Washington DC as the by Edward D. Easton, the company first sold phonograph cylinders and later disc records. For 78s that have "Exclusive Artist (At Pressing)" on labels add "Exclusive Artist" in the release notes and/or Free Text field (see ). For all unofficial/bootleg copies of this label please use . It opened a British operation shortly afterwards. This was sold in 1922 to its own management, and then the independent Columbia Graphophone Company Ltd. via Discogs →