Edward Moogk's Roll Back The Years
on p. 63 states: "...at 406-408
[Yonge St., Toronto] the Canadian Symphonola Co. Ltd.
was promoting the symphonola [sic] as Canada's
"premier phonograph." The company also
advertised a line of Imperial double-disc records,
though there is some doubt that they were ever issued,
despite claims of a 1,500-title catalogue."
Canadian Music Trades Journal, March 1917, p. 52: "One of the latest firms organized to manufacture talking machines is the Canadian Symphonola Co., Ltd. This firm is capitalized at $50,000 and the head offices are to be at 406 Yonge Street, the address of Wm. Long, the well known piano dealer."
Canadian Music Trades Journal, July 1917, p. 53: "Canadian Symphonola Co., Ltd., Toronto, are now located in their own factory. This premises recently purchased by Mr. Wm. Long, president of the Symphonola firm, are located at 31 to 37 Brock Ave, and have a floor space of 35,000 feet. Being already fitted up as a woodworking plant, it was ready for the immediate occupancy of the new proprietors."
Talking Machine World, July, 1917, p. 39: "The Canadian Symphonola Co., Ltd., are now established in their new factory at 31 Brock Avenue, Toronto, where the head offices of the
company are located. Wm. Long, president of this concern, has just recently completed negotiations whereby the company will in future manufacture cabinets in their own factory, and
will also manufacture for the trade. The premises have a frontage of eighty feet on Brock Avenue and forty-five feet on Noble street, being L-shaped. The factory is well equipped with an up-to-date woodworking plant."
Canadian Music Trades Journal, October 1917, p. 65: "The Symphonola is a Canadian made phonograph manufactured in Toronto by the Canadian Symphonola Co., Ltd."
Talking Machine World, October, 1917, p. 42: "The Montreal Symphonola Co. (registered, A. K. Kempton and H. A. Bemister) have opened up an office in Montreal in the Mappin & Webb Building for the wholesaling of the Symphonola, a Canadian-made machine."
Talking Machine World, August 15, 1919, p. 115: "Canadian Symphonola Co., Ltd., Toronto, have decided to increase their capital stock from $50,000 to $150,000 and have also made a number of factory alterations and improvements. The millroom has been enlarged and the dry kiln, which was formerly in the main factory, is being removed to a separate building. Mr. Long, president of the Canadian Symphonola Co., Ltd., in conversation with our correspondent, predicted that the coming autumn would see the usual scramble for goods greatly intensified and his advice is to order early."
Machine for sale in Toronto, February 2009 (photos by Keith Wright).
Curiously, the soundbox has the Phonola trademark on it:
Canadian Music Trades Journal, April, 1917, p. 60. Announcement of the Symphonola phonograph to the music trade.
CMTJ, July, 1917, p. 64-65.
CMTJ, August, 1917, p. 86-87.
Betty Minaker Pratt supplies this ad from Toronto Daily Star, Sept. 7, 1917, p. 18 asking for a man to take charge of office for the Symphonola factory, 31 Brock Ave.:
Also this ad from the Toronto Daily Star, October 20, 1917, p. 2 (cropped by KW).
CMTJ, October, 1917, p. 54.
Toronto Daily Star, November 3, 1917, p. 2.
Toronto Daily Star, December 15, 1917, p. 6.
Toronto Daily Star, January 5, 1918, p. 2.
CMTJ, March, 1918, p. 88.
Display ad from the Toronto Daily Star, April 20, 1918 p. 2.
Display ad from the Toronto Daily Star, March 15, 1919 p. 4.
Toronto Daily Star, September 27, 1919 p. 2.
KW found these two adverts from the Toronto World, Nov. 23, 1919 page 38:
And this advert for Mason and Risch that names two Symphonola models (mahogany and oak) from Morning Leader, Dec. 15, 1921 page 8:
Richard Kuchinsky sends, "I am currently a resident (and Condo Board member)of the Brock Lofts that were the original home for this company (31 Brock Ave, Toronto)." And supplied this photograph of the address in August, 2009.
Jeff Cook sends in the following pictures with the comments:
"I own a Symphonola (see attachments) which has been in my family for many years...It still plays quite well and is in excellent shape...":
This reproducer was for sale in Toronto in November, 2009. It reads 'The New Symphonola', 'Master of Melody' and 'Toronto Canada'. I am assuming this is the same marque. (Photo courtesy of Arthur Zimmerman, hands courtesy of KW.)
In 2014, owner Jeff Clark kept open his Orono Antique Market long enough for me to take these pictures. He was already late for a family dinner. He also told me I'd be disappointed when I opened it up. I was as there was a modern electric turntable inside.
6,800 Square Foot Multi-Vendor Antique Market, 6 Park Street, Orono, P.O. Box 249, L0B 1M0.
info@oronoantiquemarket.ca
www.oronoantiquemarket.ca< br>
(photos by Keith Wright)
