Astor Battery on parade /

From The Phonoscope, January 1899, p. 15: As they appeared in New York on Saturday, January 21 [sic], 1899, on their return from active service in the Philippines. The picture is taken as they cross Broadway, Union Square, north. First come the mounted police, proud and prancing, then the band, then the famous Astor Battery, marching twenty-four abreast. As the second file approaches, the order is given to "change arms" and the rifles shift from right to left shoulder. The men march well, with rapid gait, and present a fine spectacle, dressed in their long dark overcoats. A group of ladies on a balcony wave their handkerchiefs, and the crowds that line the sidewalks show their enthusiasm. As the Battery passes out of sight, men and boys run across the street, and a hansom cab brings up the rear. The picture was taken late in the afternoon, and the exposures were slow; consequently the film must be reproduced slowly to give the best results. (C. Musser, Edison motion pictures 1890-1900, p. 483)Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; 27Jan1899; 8651.Original main title lacking. DLCAccording to Edison film historian C. Musser, the film was made by Vitagraph producers and Edison licensees J. Stuart Blackton and Albert E. Smith, then submitted as a negative to Edison's Kinetograph Dept., which copyrighted and distributed the title. (Edison motion pictures 1890-1900, p. 481-483)Date is copyright and production date; unable to verify if work was ever actually released.Camera, J. Stuart Blackton and/or Albert E. Smith.Duration: 0:46 at 16 fps.Materials listed originate from the paper print chosen best copy of two for digitization; for other holdings on this title, contact M/B/RS reference staff. DLCMAVIS 45635; Astor Battery on parade. DLCFilmed January 23, 1899, at Union Square in New York City.Sources used: Copyright catalog, motion pictures, 1894-1912; Musser, C. Edison motion pictures 1890-1900, 1997; Niver, K.R. Early motion pictures, 1985.Received: 8/2/94 from LC film lab; ref print; preservation; Paper Print Collection.Received: 5/16/94 from LC film lab; dupe neg; preservation; Paper Print Collection.Received: 8/31/94 from LC film lab; masterpos; preservation; Paper Print Collection.Received: 1/27/1899; paper pos; copyright deposit; Paper Print Collection