The Carter Family
ListenThe Poor Orphan Child · 1927
The Carter Family — “The Poor Orphan Child,” recorded at Bristol in 1927.
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1927 · Victor
The Poor Orphan Child / The Wandering Boy
Before Bristol, A. P. Carter had already passed up a recording opportunity: Brunswick wanted a fiddler, while he wanted to sing. His next chance brought Sara and Maybelle with him, and put the Carter Family’s voices on record. [1]
| Accession | OMMA-0120 |
|---|---|
| Artist | The Carter Family |
| Release | 1927 · United States |
| Label | Victor · 20877 |
| Format | 10-inch shellac disc · 78 rpm |
| Issue | U.S. commercial issue |
| Runouts | Not documented |
| Recorded grade | VG |
Release history and significance
A. P. and Sara had been making music in their Virginia community for years, accompanying songs with guitar and autoharp. Sara’s cousin Maybelle, married to A. P.’s brother Ezra, joined them on guitar. In 1927 they travelled to Bristol to record for Victor producer Ralph Peer. [1]
The family recorded “The Poor Orphan Child” on 1 August. Sara and Maybelle returned the following day to record “The Wandering Boy” without A. P. The two performances were paired on Victor 20877, the group’s first commercial release. [2] [3]
This beginning brought together three different strengths: Sara’s singing, Maybelle’s guitar playing, and A. P.’s work collecting and arranging songs. Their repertoire ranged from gospel and old ballads to blues and parlour songs. The recordings made a family’s musical practice available to listeners far beyond home. [1]
Market context
Discogs records sales for this Victor 20877 edition from US$8 to US$50, with a median of US$30, as listed on 13 September 2026. The latest recorded sale was 14 August 2026. [3]
Physical Description
A ten-inch Victor shellac 78 coupling “The Poor Orphan Child” and “The Wandering Boy,” catalogue number 20877. [3]
Condition
Graded VG. The seller described greying in the grooves and faint label wear, using the VJM grade VV+.
Provenance
Acquired on 8 June 2026 through eBay from Carolina Soul Records.
Sources
- Charles Wolfe, Carter Family, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Early family music-making, the Brunswick audition and the Bristol recordings.
- Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 1927 Bristol Sessions: Recordings and Artists. Session dates, titles and participating performers.
- Discogs, the Carter Family, release 10319518. Victor 20877, session details and sales history.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.