Harmograph

The Harmograph label was produced for the Harmograph Talking Machine Company of St. Louis by several different record companies during its brief lifetime (1920-1925). Earliest Harmograph discs were pressed by the Siemon Hard Rubber Company from Jones Recording Laboratories masters. They bear brown labels with the slogan, "Quality Counts". However, these were mediocre products, at best. Cameo Record Corporation assumed production of Harmograph records in 1922. The slogan "The Human Echo" was first applied to these records. This series of records was pressed from a mix of Jones and Cameo masters. The New York Recording Laboratories took over production of Harmograph records in early 1923. These records have a simplified label. Some important jazz and blues recordings were issued on Harmograph discs in this series. Artists were frequently pseudonymous, but some of Paramount's most popular stars were credited. In early 1924, Pathé Frères Phonograph Co. briefly took over production of this label. By the end of the year, however, Harmograph was being produced by Scranton Button Company, drawing on masters from Emerson Phonograph Company Inc. and Regal Record Company, Inc.. These records bear red labels.