Knapp



In Roll Back The Years, Edward Moogk (National Library of Canada, 1975) p. 63-64 mentioned: "During 1917...In Owen Sound, the National Table Co. Ltd. began promoting its Knapp phonograph."
Blain McCutchen contributes the following small 'catalogue':





 
As the document mentions, the Maestrolian company had offices in the 'New Ryrie Building' at the corner of Shuter and Yonge in Toronto.  That gave me a great excuse to photograph the wonderful building that was still there in November, 2008.  The Government of Ontario Archives has the following to say:


http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/English/exhibits/architecture/record_ryrie.htm
"Ryrie Building, 229 Yonge St., 1891; additions and alterations by Burke, Horwood & White, 1913-14; ground floor and basement remodelled for Muirhead's Grille and Cafeteria, Norman A. Armstrong, 1934.

"The Ryrie Brothers owned the most prestigious jewellery business in Toronto at the time this office building was re-modelled out of two existing structures by Burke, Horwood & White in 1913.

"While the Ryries had their retail business down the street in "Diamond Hall" located at Yonge and Adelaide streets, this building at the corner of Shuter Street was an investment property. The Ryrie name survives in the Ryrie Building, but no longer in the jewellery business.

"Ryrie Brothers amalgamated with Montreal jewellers Henry Birks & Son following the death of one of the three Ryrie brothers in 1917, and later in the 1930s another Toronto jeweller joined the company to form Ryrie-Birks-Ellis. For many years since however, the firm has been simply known as Birks.

"The Ryrie Building is a square, conservative structure, most notable for its varied fenestration, the arrangement and design of its windows and doors. There are trios of sash-windows at the top, a double-height arcade in the middle, and at the bottom the walls are virtually all glass."

Photos by KW--fall 2008:




Back