Hawthorne & Sheble (pronounced "sheb-lee") Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia and Bridgeport (CT) produced beautiful, sophisticated, well-imagined talking machines during the period 1905-1909.
H&S created some of the most interesting, unusual, imaginative and innovative artifacts in the business.
Luscious cabinets of solid wood, without veneers; bright, glowing, masterfully embellished horns. By comparison, Victor and Columbia look pallid and uninspired.
Unfortunately, here was one origin of the struggle that would sink H&S in 1909 -- Victor and Columbia wanted BLOOD, and would do anything to stop this worthy, budding competitor. In the end, Victor's millions brought H&S down, and thereby squelched the finest ideas in the field.
They also produced their own records called Star Record.
