BIG NICKEL
1950 - 1952
Big Nickel Records was launched in June 1950 as a small pop / rhythm & blues imprint based at 132 Nassau St., New York, N.Y. Contemporary trade coverage names C. T. (“Chris”) Forde and Jack Sloves as the operators.
Activity window (mid-1950 through late-1950; effectively gone by 1951/52). Directory-style and discographical sources bracket Big Nickel’s manufacturing to 1950–c.1951, with the last confirmed mentions in late 1950 and only legacy directory carry-overs thereafter; by early 1952 it was likely inactive.
Discographers have long noted inconsistencies around Big Nickel 1005: period commentaries suggest that two different pairings were both shown with 1005 at some point (a not-uncommon indie mishap). Contemporary reviews and later notes support this duplication.
With no confirmed new issues after late 1950 and only residual directory listings by March 1952, Big Nickel is best treated as defunct by 1951/52.
