Rayola
Eward Moogk in Roll Back The Years (National Library of Canada, 1975) p. 63 states: "During 1917, London, Ontario, began to get some of the action...the imported Crescent Silver Tone and Rayola phonographs were handled by the London Phonograph Co..."

Betty Minaker Pratt sends the following along with the referenced picture:

The reproduction photo attached was drawn to my attention by Douglas Flood of London who says it came from a a book about Old Boy's Reunion during the years 1899-1938. This same photo appears in Allan Noon's book, East of Adelaide, Photographs of commercial, industrial and working-class urban Ontario, 1905-1930, London Regional Art and Historical Museums, 1989. Alan Noon, Media Specialist, Dept. of Biology, Faculty of Science, UWO, London. .

W.J. Wray & Co., Jewelers, of 234 Dundas St. London, appeared in Vernon's City of London directory of 1921-23 (the same area as the Starr distributors, Antique Phonograph News, May-June 2008).
Thus, the Rayola phonograph, which I then saw in newspapers at AO, the London Free Press, Tues, Nov. 11, 1919 -
"Rayola and Crescent Silver Tone Phonographs Are equal to any make if not Superior. Manufactured by London Phonograph Co, 234 Dundas St. W. Ranging in Price from $15 to $200."

AO also listed Wm. John Wray and London Phonograph Co., Sept. 18, 1916, in the Middlesex Co. Partnership Records.




This machine case was for sale from a member by the Canadian Antique Phonograph Society Jun 2009 in Toronto.  (Photos by KW)


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