The Selecto-phone was manufactured by The Sonophone Company of Canada, Limited, Montreal, Quebec (see Son-o-phone page) and marketed by H.P. Labelle & Cie., Limitée, Montreal. Scroll to the bottom of this page for the story of the H.P. Labelle company.
Talking Machine World, July 1917, p. 39: "H. P. Labelle & Co., 149 St. Catherine Street East, are handling a nice volume of day in and day out business with Columbia and Pathé lines, and have recently added the Selecto-Phone line to their talking machine department."
Canadian Music Trades Journal, August 1917, p. 62: "Sono-Phone Company, with demonstration parlors at H.P. Labelle & Co., report a good measure of trade in Columbia and Sonora makes, and the Selecto-phone, a machine of their own manufacture."
Montreal Star, November 10, 1917, p. 9.
Montreal Star, December 15, 1917, p. 14.
A "repurposed" Selecto-phone submitted by Norman Brooks.
Winnipeg Tribune, June 3, 1929, p. 24. A T. Eaton Company Ltd ad includes a console model Selecto-phone.
The story of H.P. Labelle & Cie., Limitée
Le commerce de Montreal et de Québec et leurs industries en 1889, p. 142: "There are many furniture dealers in Montreal; but it seems to us that there are few who deserve more special mention than Messrs. H. P. Labelle and Co., manufacturers and dealers in furniture of all descriptions, whose establishment is located at No. 1661 Notre-Dame Street, Montreal. This establishment was founded in 1871 and through the energy and enterprise of its members has grown to considerable proportions. Now its trade extends throughout the city and surrounding squares. The building occupied is 100 x 20 feet in size. They carry a complete assortment of furniture of all descriptions, which is sold at very moderate prices." (Translated from the original French)
L'Almanach du peuple illustré de C. O. Beauchemin & fils, 1894: Illustration of Labelle factory.
The origin and services of the 3rd (Montreal) field battery of artillery, 1898: Ad for Labelle & Cie, Limitée.
H.P. Labelle & Co. (Honoré Paul) was one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers and dealers in furniture, carpets, curtains and draperies in Montreal. By 1916, they carried a line of phonographs in their store.
Talking Machine World, March 1916, p. 79: "H. P. Labelle & Cie, Ltd., 147 St. Catherine street, has taken on the representation of the Columbia in addition to the Sonora."
Talking Machine World, May 1917, p. 42: "H. P. Labelle & Co., Ltd., Montreal, report a heavy demand for Columbia and Sonora machines and Columbia and Pathé records."
Talking Machine World, July 1917, p. 39: "H. P. Labelle & Co., 149 St. Catherine Street East, are handling a nice volume of day in and day out business with Columbia and Pathé lines, and have recently added the Selecto-Phone line to their talking machine department."
Canadian Music Trades Journal, August 1917, p. 62: "Sono-Phone Company, with demonstration parlors at H.P. Labelle & Co., report a good measure of trade in Columbia and Sonora makes, and the Selecto-phone, a machine of their own manufacture."
Talking Machine World, January 1918, p. 42: "H. P. Labelle & Co., Ltd., are now featuring the Starr line in addition to other makes handled."
Talking Machine World, May 1918, p. 53: "H. P. Labelle & Co., Ltd., will exhibit a full line of Pathé machines at the forthcoming sportsmen's show to be held in Montreal."
Talking Machine World, July 1918, p. 50: "Local business is designated as moving along splendidly with H. P. Labelle, Ltd., and this firm are of the opinion that this fall will see more Pathé machines sold in Montreal than ever before."
Canadian Music Trades Journal, August 1918, p. 79: "An influx of nice business has been noticeable of late with H. P Labelle, Ltd. Pathé distributors. Numerous cash sales covering various models helping to swell the month's receipt."
Canadian Music Trades Journal, September 1918, p. 52: "H P. Labelle Ltd report a continuance of good sales in Pathéphones and a materialisation of nice trade with Playolas, Symphonolas and records."
In February 1920 they registered and displayed at the Stratford, Ontario furniture exhibitions.
Une Histoire du Quebec en photos, p. 91: "A promiscuity unthinkable a century earlier! Men and women shared the offices of the H. P. Labelle & Cie store, at the corner of Berri Street and Dorchester Boulevard (later called René-Lévesque), in Montreal, in 1920. This was where Montreal's first private telephone network was created. (Translated from the original French)
Canada Furniture World & The Undertaker, April 1922, p. 34: "OPEN NEW MONTREAL FURNITURE STORE - H.P. Labelle & Cie., Ltd., Montreal, have inaugurated their new building's opening by conducting a special sale. The new structure is a seven story building at 149 St. Catherine Street, East, (corner of City Hall avenue) and the company have named it the "cathedral of all furniture stores in Canada."
Talking Machine World, May 1922, p. 95: "The phonograph department of H. P. Labelle, Ltd., now occupies the ground floor of its new building, with J. T. Lemieux in charge. The original "Windsor" phonograph and other makes are handled here."
Canada Furniture World & The Undertaker, November 1922, p. 68: "One firm, which has been established 50 years, P.H. Labelle & Company Limited, is going out of business."