J.E. Hough, Ltd., Edisonia Works (1909-c1914)

J.E. Hough Ltd., Edison Bell Works (c1914-1933)
62 Glengall Road, Peckham, London, S.E.15

Manufacturer, Patentee, Wholesaler, and Exporter of "Edison Bell" records, gramophones, radios, and components.

In early 1909 Edison Bell was in financial difficulty and in April J. Hough bought Edisonia, Ltd., as a going concern.
ough was the late manager of the Edison Bell Phonograph Co., and paid £10,400 for the company
The new company J.E. Hough, Ltd., Edisonia Works was registered on April 16 with a capital of £10,000 in shares. Its objects were to carry on the business of manufacturers and contractors for the sale, erection, and maintenance of phonographs, gramophones, phono-disc records, machines, etc. To acquire the undertaking and assets of Edisonia. And Sterling companies [1] [2]

In 1912 the Edison Bell Winner record label was introduced by a Hough syndicate named The Winner Record Co.

The production of cylinder records ceased in 1914.

By January 1914 the company was advertising as J.E. Hough Ltd., Edison Bell Works. [3]

In 1922  Hough wanted to expand into the growing wireless market and employed newly graduated Engineer Paul Voigt for his specialised knowledge in that area. 

In 1924 the company in an early attempt at audio-visual entertainment introduced the "Picturegram" gramophone. This machine was designed to play small kiddie records while a scroll displaying pictures moved in a compartment located behind the record.

Hough died in February 1925, and his sons took over the management of the company.

Vought went on to secure many patents and insisted the patents for his inventions remain his property. He paid for the cost of patenting and gave the company preferential rights. See Voigt Patents Ltd. for a list.

In July 1933 Voigt acquired the stocks of Edison-Bell-Voigt moving coil loudspeakers and electrostatic microphones and left the company and formed Voigtpatents Ltd.

In early 1933, the company was acquired by the Decca company, at which time all recordings at Edison Bell ceased. Decca continued issuing various Edison Bell labels until 1935.

[1] The Taking Machine World May 1909, Page 22.
[2] The Taking Machine World Jun 1909, Page 25.
[3] The Taking Machine World Nov 1914, Page 51.