Brant-ola
Ad and blurb from Roy Brown who
contacted the Brant Museum and Archives.
(contact Keith for larger image)
Text:
The Christmas Expositor, December, 1916, Brantford, Canada
The Best that is in the record--
Every good phonograph record has delicate, charming tones that are lost in the transmission unless the instrument is adjusted with the finest precision.
The BRANT-OLA combines in its mechanism and cabinet construction the qualities of a high grade watch and a good violin.
We do not make records, but we make the only organ-tone instrument for all records.
See and hear the BRANT-OLA
Before you buy
Phone Us--No. 2409.
Brantford Piano Case Company, Limited
Brantford, Canada
Photos courtesy of Betty Minaker Pratt of a record cabinet sold November 2007. Perhaps made from a machine cabinet?
Inside the lid:
Daniel Kennaley sent the following regarding a machine formerly owned by Joe Nemeth, shown below for a film made by the Brant Video Club.
Rick Pauloski of Ancaster reported in October 2009 that he had found a machine much like this one--although minus a lid--and it was labeled 'Style B' No. 2731.
The above Brant-ola notes it was "Sold by Frank Stanley, Toronto". Betty Minaker Pratt supplies, "The second Brantola mentions the store of Frank Stanley pianos of Toronto.
Wayne Kelly's book, Downright Upright, p. 120 says that Stanley took over the Cecilian Piano Co. in 1922, but then went out of business two years later when Mason & Risch bought out their stock. I have an address for Stanley Piano factory at 121-135 De Grassi St., and store at 14 Temperance St., Toronto on an illustrated pamphlet.
Another letterhead from Frank Stanley Oct. 1920, says they are agents for Brunswick Phonographs and Records at 241 Yonge St. "
Betty also supplies the information that, "[the] Tor[onto] Ref[erence Library] has Patent books, with an Index of Inventors, Patentees, and Assignees.
March, April, June, 1916, p. 1990 listed The Brantford Piano Case Co. Ltd, Brantford, Ontario, Phonograph cabinet, June 10, 1916. Nov., Dec. 1916 p. 4111, No. 22233 listed Brantford Piano Case Co. Ltd, the Word, Brant-Ola, Dec. 28, 1916. "
And Betty supplies the following page from the Toronto Reference Library of page 78 from the Canadian Music Trades Journal, August 1917:
Jim Keller in Orleans (near Ottawa) supplies the following photos of his Style "A" Brant-ola (same as unit in the above ad):
Pat Konkle of Mississauga sends these pictures of another Style 'A':
