The First HMV Trade Mark On A Record
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 8:43 pm
Many Years ago I came across a pre-label Canadian Berliner 7" record. When I got home, I proceeded to clean it. Under a light, I started to notice the HMV logo in the sound waves. Then, I discovered three more HMV logo's. They are located at 12,3,6 and 9 o'clock. They are very hard to photograph. However, the image is almost dimensional.
Strangely,some of the few records that have survived have only two HMV logo's.
Most of these pre-label records (the first type in Canada) were pressed in Montreal from US & UK masters starting in January 1900. This record is from a US master. One can see the US matrix number effaced under the added Canadian patent information. In fact, all the added (Canadian) info to the master is in raised form on the record.
As time went on, I found a May 1901 Berliner ad. In this ad, Berliner makes it very clear as to why this HMV in the grooves was being done. It was with the hopes to stop unscrupulous people from pirating his records. In an article from "Roll Back The Years" by Edward Moogk. A possible culprit may have been the Gram-O-Phone Cigar Co. in Montreal....
.
Also, I found an article from a 1991 CAPS journal that claims this was the first time anywhere that the HMV logo was used on a record.
The only other information I have been able to find is....this process was abandoned within a matter of months. Some assume the time frame was May 1901 to August 1901. Why was it stopped??. Was it due to cost or was it just not working as Berliner had hoped.
It should also be mentioned that there are a few Canadian 7" records that have the G&T scribing angel in the grooves. However, they have the first Canadian paper label on them and no HMV logo.
In any case these records can be very easy to be over looked for what they really are. So, keep your eyes open when you find one...
.
Strangely,some of the few records that have survived have only two HMV logo's.
Most of these pre-label records (the first type in Canada) were pressed in Montreal from US & UK masters starting in January 1900. This record is from a US master. One can see the US matrix number effaced under the added Canadian patent information. In fact, all the added (Canadian) info to the master is in raised form on the record.
As time went on, I found a May 1901 Berliner ad. In this ad, Berliner makes it very clear as to why this HMV in the grooves was being done. It was with the hopes to stop unscrupulous people from pirating his records. In an article from "Roll Back The Years" by Edward Moogk. A possible culprit may have been the Gram-O-Phone Cigar Co. in Montreal....

Also, I found an article from a 1991 CAPS journal that claims this was the first time anywhere that the HMV logo was used on a record.
The only other information I have been able to find is....this process was abandoned within a matter of months. Some assume the time frame was May 1901 to August 1901. Why was it stopped??. Was it due to cost or was it just not working as Berliner had hoped.
It should also be mentioned that there are a few Canadian 7" records that have the G&T scribing angel in the grooves. However, they have the first Canadian paper label on them and no HMV logo.
In any case these records can be very easy to be over looked for what they really are. So, keep your eyes open when you find one...

