Record Labels - Paramount Records

Hover over each image for information about each individual label.

Paramount Records

The legendary Paramount Records was founded by the Wisconsin Chair Company of Port Washington, Wisconsin in 1918. The company had previously manufactured phonographs under their own marquee as well as cabinets for Edison machines. For this new line of phonograph records, the Wisconsin Chair Company started a subsidiary called the New York Recording Laboratories (or NYRL), Originally releasing run-of-the-mill popular and dance music of the day on vertically cut, and later lateral records, the race records that made the company famous today got their start in 1922, when Paramount bought the assets of the failed Black Swan label, who was previously contracted the NYRL to press their records.

With J. Mayo "Ink" Williams bringing new talent, they began their new race series with recordings from artists such as Alberta Hunter, Sissle and Blake, and Lucille Hegamin. With their popular race records, Paramount's popular series faded away, leaving the race series as the primary product of the company. Paramount's records began to feature now legendary blues musicians such as Ma Rainey, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and later Charley Patton.

When the Great Depression hit, many consumers were unable to afford such extravagances as records, and the industry took a heavy blow, and Paramount was no exception. In 1932, Paramount Records stopped recording, and shut down completely in 1935. As legend has it, when Paramount closed, some disgruntled former employees threw many of the metal masters into the Milwaukee River, and many were sold as scrap metal. However, Paramount's story does not end there, as in 1948, collector and record collector and producer John Steiner purchased their remaining assets from the Wisconsin Chair Company and revived the label, reissuing many Paramount recordings, as well some others.

An earlier label with a 75 cent price notice at the top. This example dates to 1923.

An quite worn blue label of the style that was used for most of Paramount's earlier history. This example dates to 1925.

An 'Electrically Recorded' black label Paramount, as was used in the later years of the company. Earlier black labels lack the electrical marquee. This example dates to 1927.

A late 1940s John Steiner reissue, using the same design as the original, but printed in silver rather than gold ink. This example dates to 1949 and is dubbed from an original 1927 Paramount.

Broadway Records

Broadway records was founded in 1921 the Bridgeport Die and Machine Company (BD&M), which was bought out by Paramount after their failure in 1924. When Paramount focused their flagship label on race records, Broadway released mostly popular and country music leased from other companies such as Plaza, Emerson, ARC, and Crown, at different times in their existence. The Broadway label outlived Paramount, made in the early 1930s by the ARC, and later by Decca.

An early multicolored Broadway label from early in the label's history. This example dates to 1922.

An example the NYRL style of label used by Broadway. This example dates to 1929 and was produced by Paramount with masters from ARC/Plaza.

Puritan Records

Puritan, which operated from 1917 to 1929, predating Paramount, released primarily popular music using masters from Paramount and Plaza, some were pressed by the Bridgeport Die & Machine Company.

An early style of Puritan label pressed by BD&M. This example dates to 1922.

The basic style of Puritan label that was used throughout most of the 1920s, though it had a number of small variations, and was eventually changed to black in 1926. This example dates to 1923.

A late issue Puritan with Paramount's 'Electrically Recorded' branding, earlier labels had a more ornate design. This example dates to 1927.

Sleeves

A Broadway sleeve from the 1920s with some great twenties artwork, in nearly immaculate condition.

All images on this page created by R. Connor Montgomery, please do not reproduce without permission.