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Emerson Records

Emerson Records: 1915-1928

Emerson Records was founded by Victor H. Emerson a former employee of Columbia records. Emerson Records were part of the Emerson Phonograph Company (also founded by Victor Emerson). The first Emerson discs were 5.5in. and 7in. discs of various New York musicians recorded under the band name “Emerson Symphony Orchestra”. After World War One the business expanded to include 9in. and 10in. records. To market to the immigrants they created a line of 12in. classical records. Emerson then began to contract with musicians such as Eddie Cantor to record exclusively for the label. The rapid expansion after World War One coupled with a newly opened recording studio in Los Angeles over-extended the company.

It would be bought up by the Scranton Button Company in 1924. The company produced buttons made out of shellac so it had the production to also make shellac records out of the same material.

The Scranton Button Company would eventually stop selling Emerson Records and apply the Emerson name only to radios. Late Emerson records are very rare and are identified by an “Electrosonic Emerson” meaning Emerson switched to using microphones to record. This switch occurred as the Scranton Button Company was phasing the line out. By 1928 Emerson was no longer a label and parts of the catalog were sold or leased to other companies.

While the record branch would no longer exist the name Emerson and the factories that produced phonographs would be used to produce household electronics graduating from phonographs to radios to TVs, air-conditioners, and now other small consumer electronics. Indeed, Emerson exists today as Emerson Radio and includes the iconic oversized treble clef as part of its logo.

Music Genres: Classical, Pop, Ethnic, Foreign, Jazz, Urban Blues, and “Race-Records”.

Numbers from label start to 1945: 300-10903 with the 19000 series being ethnic German music and the 12000 series being ethnic Italian music.

Pre-World War II Label: Black, Blue, Red (being the Premier label designed to compete with Columbia’s Red Seal), or Maroon always with a shield.

Emerson Record Label Early — Black, Blue, Red (for Premier), or Maroon always with a shield.

Emerson would have a label change in mid-1923. The label would drop the shield and favor an oversized musical treble clef. Colors would be the same as the early Emerson label.

1941-1945 Label: None

Post-World War II Label: None

Notes: None

Sources:

-Rust, Brian. The American Record Label Book. Arlington House Publishers, NY. 1978.

-Sutton, Nauck. American Record Labels and Companies: An Encyclopedia (1891-1943). Mainspring Press, CO.2000.

-Emerson Premier Label

-Emerson Records, a History and Discography.

Supertone Records

Supertone (1924; 1928-mid 1931) by Sears

Supertone was a record label made for Sears. It was marketed as a higher-quality label and replaced the Silvertone. Supertone was introduced in 1924 and discontinued in the same year. The 1924 series of Supertones were made by the Fletcher Record Company and are the rarer of the two label designs. Supertone would re-emerge in mid-1928 and last until 1931. From 1928-to 1931 over 800 records were issued. The 1928-1931 labels were black with the words “Super Electrically Recorded” in block letters below the shield. This meant that the recording artist used a microphone to record the sound rather than play it into a horn.

About halfway through the series the reference to Sears, Roebuck, and Co was replaced by the words “Licensed RCA Photophone Recording”. These Supertone labels were pressed by Starr Piano Company until 1931. Many of the Starr-produced recordings were done under artist pseudonyms. In the final year of the Supertone Record label, Sears switched record manufacturers from Starr to Brunswick Radio Corporation. These new Supertones had an S-prefix before the record number. Like the early Fletcher made Supertone records, these Brunswick Supertones are rare too. Supertone Records were discontinued in 1931 by the Great Depression and the desire for Sears to bring back the Silvertone Label.

Music Genres: Band, Waltz, Orchestra, band, jazz, blues, Midwestern dance.

Numbers from start to 1945: 1000-9000

Pre-World War II Label:

The artist on this label, below, is the Miami Syncopators – You can take me away from Dixie (but you can’t take Dixie from me) 1502-A. The Miami Syncopators were a pseudonym for Harry Reser and his Orchestra.

Supertone Record Label: 1924. This label design lasted only one year. A white, gold, and black design. Note the Sears phrase at the bottom.

The artist below is Gene Autry (as known as the Singing Cowboy) In the Shadow of the Pine 9704-B.

Supertone Record gene-autry — Supertone Record Label 1928-1931. Produced by Starr Piano Company. Note the” Licensed RCA Photophone Recording” phrase at the bottom. A gold and black design.

Sometimes this song is referred to as In the Shadow of the Old Pine Tree:

The final Supertone Label is an artist called Buell Kazee, A Mountain Boy Makes his First Record-Part 1 S-2084.

Supertone Record Label by Brunswick Radio. Produced in mid-1931. — Supertone Record Label by Brunswick Radio Corporation. Produced in mid-1931. Note the “S” prefix and the Brunswick Radio Corp phrase at the bottom.

You can listen to the song by clicking the link below:

Buell H. Kazee A Mountain Boy makes his First Record-Part 1

Sources:
-Rust, Brian. The American Record Label Book. Arlington House Publishers, NY. 1978.
-Sutton, Nauck. American Record Labels and Companies: An Encyclopedia (1891-1943).Mainspring Press, CO.2000.
–http://www.mainspringpress.com/sears-labels.html