The Sonograph was an external-horn phonograph manufactured ca. 1902 for the Canadian Phonograph Co., Toronto. An original example bears a badge reading "The Sonograph M'fd for Canadian Phonograph Co., Toronto," indicating that the Canadian Phonograph Co. commissioned or marketed the machine rather than necessarily manufacturing it. The soundbox is marked "Mason & Risch, Toronto," providing evidence that the Toronto piano manufacturer supplied the soundbox. The identity of the firm that manufactured the complete machine remains unknown.
Canadian Woodworker and Furniture Manufacturer, September 1920, p. 126: "The Provincial Supply & Machine Co., Limited, St. Thomas, Out., are placing a phonograph motor on the market, which is known as the Elgin motor. This motor, it is claimed, compares very favorably with the best on the market and is meeting with a strong demand. The company are equipped for quantity production and are negotiating several large orders. Mr. Anderson, the manager, is not a novice at the game, for he has been interested in the phonograph business since he placed the Sonograph on the market in 1902. At present the efforts of the company are confined to producing motors that at a later date tone arms, reproducers and other parts will be manufactured and some day a complete phonograph may be placed on the market."
This report does not necessarily mean that Anderson or the Provincial Supply & Machine Company manufactured the 1902 Sonograph themselves. Nor does it imply that the Provincial Supply & Machine Company was manufacturing a complete phonograph in 1920.
Canadian Woodworker and Furniture Manufacturer, May 1921, p. 110: "The Provincial Machine & Supply Co., Limited, St. Thomas, Ont., who have been manufacturing phonograph motors of different kinds, are now turning out a completed instrument. The cabinets are being constructed by the Green Lumber Co. of St. Thomas, while the metal parts are all manufactured in the plant of the Provincial Machine & Supply Co. It is stated this phonograph will compare favorably with any on the market both as regards appearance and tone quality. This new instrument will be marketed under the name of "Sonograph."
This report confirms that, by May 1921, the Provincial Supply & Machine Company was manufacturing a complete made-in-Canada phonograph known as a "Sonograph".
Toronto Telegram, March 20, 1907, p. 5. Canadian Phonograph Co., 12 Yonge Street Arcade, Toronto.
Toronto Star, May 15, 1907, p. 11.
Toronto Star, July 31, 1909, p. 16.
Hamilton Spectator, October 11, 1909, p. 7.
From the Domenic DiBernardo Collection. Photographs by Cheryl Wright. Back-mount phonographs became common after 1903.
The sound box is labelled for 'Mason & Risch Toronto', originally a piano company who also manufactured a line of internal horn phonographs.
