Harvard Records

Harvard Records was the first name brand used by Sears, Roebuck and Co. for their cylinder and disc records, sold through their mail order catalogs. The masters were leased from Columbia Records and sold through the Sears catalog as a cheaper alternative to the Columbia discs that Sears was also offering. The label was active from approximately 1905 to 1907.

History

Sears had been selling cylinder records under their company name since the 1890s. Harvard was the first attempt at marketing their own records through their catalog as a distinct brand. The name likely came from a nearby street where Sears moved to in 1905. Originally used for phonographs, the name was later applied to cylinder and disc records in the early 1900s.

Columbia leased the masters to Sears, with some recordings dating as early as 1902. The first discs issued were 7-inch records with a plain blue label. The next label iteration featured 10-inch records with red lettering and a trademark flag.

Discontinuation

Sears continued the Harvard label until 1906, when the Oxford label was introduced. The Harvard brand was gradually phased out and was entirely dropped the following year. Some overstock Harvard phonographs were still being advertised into 1909. Although Harvard was used only briefly, it paved the way for Sears' later house brands.

Company Information