One year before he died in 1939 , Rathvon 's remarks were recorded on February 12 , 1938 . It included his reading the address itself . One year before his death in 1939 , Rathvon 's reminiscences were recorded on February 12 , 1938 at the Boston studios of radio station WRUL , including his reading the address , itself , and a 78 rpm record was pressed .