Roll Back The Years, Edward Moogk, National
Library of Canada, 1975, page 64: "However, Ontario did not have a monopoly on the business since Winnipeg became the focal point for distribution in the growing Western Canada Market. The Chopin Piano and Talking Machine Company handled the Chopin Talking Machine from its offices in the Keewayden Building, and the Melotone (“The sweetest of them
all”) was available from the Melotone Talking Machine Co. Ltd. at 235 Fort Street."
In 1917, the Chopin Piano and Talking Machine Co., Winnipeg, Manitoba, began selling the Chopin talking machine which was manufactured in Chicago, Illinois. By August 1918, The Chopin Piano and Talking Machine Co. had been taken over by Chopin Phonographs Limited who began manufacturing the Chopin locally in their factory in Winnipeg.
Canadian Furniture World and the Undertaker, May 1917, p. 36b: "The Chopin Piano and Talking Machine Co., recently opened up an office and warerooms in the Keewayden Building, Winnipeg, where will be handled the Canadian trade business of the company. The "Chopin" phonograph has a high reputation, and the company's factory at Chicago is one of the largest on the continent making talking machines, with a capacity of 400 machines a day. It is the purpose of the company carrying at least four carloads of "Chopins" in stock at Winnipeg, so as to be able at all times to meet delivery calls, which the company purposes to do the day orders are received."
Canadian Furniture World and the Undertaker, June 1917, p. 38: "CHOPIN MACHINES IN CANADA - The Chopin Piano & Talking Machine Co., of Chicago, who recently opened a Canadian branch in Winnipeg, have now completed arrangements to open a branch in Montreal, under the management of James T. Upton, lately with Goodwins, Limited, Montreal. Stocks will be carried at Winnipeg and Montreal. The Canadian sales manager, J. S. Sawyer, was recently in Montreal arranging suitable offices, storage, service, etc., and as soon as complete and satisfactory service is given by the Montreal manager and his staff of experts, Mr. Sawyer has instructions to open up in St. John, Halifax, Toronto, and Vancouver. N. Jerlow, factory superintendent, will shortly visit Canada to make sure that good export service is being given by each branch. The Chopin Piano & Talking Machine Co. are devoting all their time to phonographs, and within two months expect to he able to put on the market their own records."
Canadian Furniture World and the Undertaker, July 1918, p. 36: "Chopin Phonographers Limited, of Winnipeg, has been incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, to take over the businesses carried on by Irving Robinson as the Chopin Piano and Talking Machine Company, and the Vista Phonograph Corporation of Canada."
Canadian Furniture World and the Undertaker, October 1918, p. 40: "The business formerly conducted under the name of the Chopin Piano & Talking Machine Company of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has been absorbed by Chopin Phonographs Limited, and this company is now manufacturing the Chopin Phonograph complete in their own factory in Winnipeg. Chopin Phonographs are made in eight exclusively designed models, priced from $25 to $200, retail. The phonograph has several new and exclusive features, amongst which is the one-piece frame motor."
KW found simultaneous adverts in The Morning Leader, Mar 24, 1917 pg. 17 (Regina Sask.) and The Calgary Daily Herald, Mar 24, 1917 pg. 5.
Canadian Music Trades Journal, May, 1917, p. 56.
Envelope from The Chopin Piano and Talking Machine Co., postmarked Mar 7, 1918 (collection of Bill and Betty Pratt).
Canadian Music Trades Journal, August, 1918, p. 70.
Canadian Furniture World and the Undertaker, October, 1918, p. 37.
