Invicta - Biography

Biography - Invicta

UK

Invicta records first appeared in the autumn of 1912. In spite of the apparent 'Union Jack' look of the labels, they were produced by Berolina Schallplatte GmbH of Berlin who supplied the wholesale factors W. A. Barraud Ltd of Great Eastern Street, London E.C.

But in June 1913 a disagreement arose between Berolina and Barraud as to the ownership of the Invicta trademark. Berolina then appointed a new agent, John Abrahams, and stopped all supplies to Barraud at record No.270, while Barraud - having invested in a new recording studio in London - continued to produce his version of the Invicta label by placing a contract with the Crystalate Company of Tonbridge, Kent to produce records he had recorded in London to replace those in his current Invicta catalogue and some newer issues.

So there are two distinct 'Invicta' labels, each issuing different couplings by different artists, but using the same catalogue numbers. In the label listing here the Berolina/Abrahams label may be seen on record No. 71 with the Barraud label on record No. 275..

In the autumn of 1913 the courts upheld Berolina's claim against Barraud. Undeterred, Barraud immediately applied for a new label trademark of 'Guardsman'. The trademark was approved in April 1914, and Barraud added a small round red sticker to his existing 'Invicta' stock stating 'GUARDSMAN is the new name under which this record will be sold'. The first true Guardsman to be issued was No. 340 in May 1914.

Although the Berolina/Abrahams 'Invicta' label continued for a short period, it was forced to stop with the outbreak of WW1 at around record No. 368, with the main reason seeming to be that the Berolina/Abrahams discs had 'Made In Germany' pressed into the runout.

The Barraud Guardsman label continued under various changes of management until 1926.

Source: Badrock,Andrews,and Field:A Listing Of Invicta & Guardsman Records 1912 - 1928.
See also Homophone & Invicta Date Codes at Norman Field's website.

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