The New York Recording Laboratories

(1917–1932) Use as Record Company. A division of the Wisconsin Chair Company of Port Washington, Wisconsin, the New York Recording Laboratories have achieved near mythical status as the source of some of the rarest and most sought-after jazz and blues recordings. However, the New York Recording Laboratories legally never existed except as a trade name of Wisconsin Chair, a fact verified during a 1936 trial in which it was revealed that “the New York Recording Laboratories is not and was not at any time a corporation, a partnership, or an individual” (Wisconsin Chair Co. v. I.G. Ely Co., 91 S.W. 2d 913). Chicago sessions contracted to Marsh Laboratories and other independent studios, 1923–early 1929; contracted to The Starr Piano Co. studios, Richmond, Indiana (c. 3–10/1929); own studio on Falls Road, Grafton, Wisconsin (c. 11/1929–1932) (Sub) contracted for: Autograph and other Marsh Laboratories brands (pressing only), Baldwin, Blue Bird (6), Broadway (9), Claxtonola, Embassy, Famous (6), Gospel Herald, Harmograph, Herwin, National Music Lovers, Paramount, Puritan, Vaughan; private and promotional issues. See also B. D. & M. Company (Bridgeport Die & Machine Company) for of labels pressed by that company from NYRL masters; and Plaza Music Company / American Record Corporation, many of whose labels used NYRL masters on occasion. Foreign labels using Company masters: Kalliope (Germany); Imperial (2), Winner (Great Britain); Usiba (Poland); probably many others.