Puritan

This was a U.S. record label that was produced between 1918-1927 jointly by The New York Recording Laboratories and the Bridgeport Die & Machine Company (B. D. & M. Company) of Bridgeport, Conn. The earliest Puritan releases were credited to the United Phonographs Corporation of Sheboygan, WI. This company was a subsidiary of The Wisconsin Chair Company, so United Phonographs Corporation was technically a sister company to The New York Recording Laboratories. Puritan records were introduced in early 1918, along with Puritan phonographs. The New York Recording Laboratories initially produced vertically cut Puritan discs in 9" and later in 10" pressings. These drew on material from Paramount's 2000/30000 series. These early Puritan releases bore ornately decorated labels, depicting a Colonial-style living room, in light blue, gold, white and gray. As with Paramount, Puritan converted to lateral-cut issues in late 1919. Labels on these issues featured an elaborate three-color scheme with filigreed borders. All issues were derived from Paramount. During the time that United Phonographs Corporation was credited on labels, the labels underwent a variety of changes before a grapevine design was adopted in spring, 1922. This version of the label contained the legend "America's Best Record". By the end of the year, labels credited The New York Recording Laboratories. In March, 1922 the B. D. & M. Company began producing a separate series of Puritan records for regional distribution in the Northeast U.S. A redesigned label, depicting a pilgrim's profile became B. D. & M. Company's signature brand. As with the The New York Recording Laboratories product, B. D. & M. Company issues derived their couplings and catalog numbers from Paramount's. By 1924, though, B. D. & M. Company began to obtain most of its masters from the Emerson Recording Laboratories and severed its business relationship with The New York Recording Laboratories. From 1924 - 1927, Puritan was produced exclusively by The New York Recording Laboratories. For the last year, after The New York Recording Laboratories closed its New York studio, Puritan releases drew from pop material from Regal Record Company, Inc..