Evidence points to two Canadian-made phonographs marketed under the name "Sonograph," with the two ventures separated by more than a dozen years. A Mr. W. C. Anderson appears to have been involved in both.
The first Sonograph was an external-horn phonograph manufactured circa 1907 for the Canadian Phonograph Co., located at 12 Yonge Street Arcade, Toronto (later 9 Yonge Street Arcade and 3 Queen Street East). The first advertisements for the Canadian Phonograph Co. appeared in Toronto newspapers in mid-1906, while the last known advertisements date from late 1909. The company offered a wide range of phonographs, "for cash or credit," including American makes such as Edison, Victor, Columbia and Zonophone, as well as British makes such as Neophone and Edison Bell. It also sold phonograph supplies and accessories and provided repair services.
I have found only three ads, all from 1909, that specifically mention this early Sonograph. The first is a display ad placed by the Toronto Gramophone Co. in the Toronto Star on July 30 and 31, 1909. Toronto Gramophone Co., 286 Yonge Street, were agents for the made-in-Canada Berliner Gram-o-phone and Berliner records. The ad announces a special sale on three Sonograph models but does not include illustrations of the machines.
The second ad is a classified advertisement in the Hamilton Spectator, October 11, 1909, p. 7: "For sale by Canadian Phonograph Co., machines at your own price. Call at the Cloverdale, 315 King east and see our splendid sonograph." The third ad indicates that musical entertainment was provided by the Canadian Phonograph Co. using the Sonograph at a Sunday service performance at the Princess Theatre, King St., Toronto.
An original circa 1907 external horn Sonograph bears a metal identification plate reading "The Sonograph M'fd for Canadian Phonograph Co., Toronto," suggesting 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 this component. The identity of the firm responsible for manufacturing the complete machine remains unknown.
Toronto Star, July 31, 1909, p. 16.
Hamilton Spectator, October 11, 1909, p. 7.
Globe and Mail, November 27, 1909, p. 2. Programme provided by the Sonograph per favor of the Canadian Phonograph Co.
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.
The second phonograph marketed under the name "Sonograph" was apparently manufactured circa 1921 by the Provincial Machine & Supply Co., Limited, of St. Thomas, Ontario. The company had introduced a phonograph motor known as the Elgin motor the previous year, in 1920.
A report in Canadian Woodworker and Furniture Manufacturer, September 1920, p. 126, introducing the Elgin motor, noted that Mr. Anderson, manager of The Provincial Supply & Machine Co., Limited, "was 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."
Canadian Woodworker and Furniture Manufacturer, September 1920, p. 126: "The Provincial Supply & Machine Co., Limited, St. Thomas, Ont., 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."
A second report, published in the May 1921 issue of Canadian Woodworker and Furniture Manufacturer (p. 110), noted that The Provincial Machine & Supply Co., Limited, was now producing a complete phonograph to be marketed under the name "Sonograph."
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 implies that, by May 1921, the Provincial Supply & Machine Company was manufacturing a complete made-in-Canada phonograph known as a "Sonograph".
The St. Thomas Provincial Machine & Supply Co., Limited, declared bankruptcy in July 1923. Its manager, W. C. Anderson, was subsequently sentenced to one year in prison in Toronto for fraud. The charge stemmed from his collection of money from residents of Dresden, Ontario, under false pretences, in connection with a proposed phonograph factory that he had been promoting.
Montreal Star, September 6, 1919, p. 31.
Montreal Star, September 13, 1919, p. 34.
London Evening Free Press, July 3, 1923, p. 5.
Globe and Mail, July 30, 1923, p. 15.
Toronto Telegram, May 20, 1927, p. 6.
Toronto Star, November 4, 1929, p. 28.
