Imperial Records (1920)

Imperial Records was an American record label founded in 1920. It operated primarily during the 1920s, initially focusing on popular music, dance bands, and novelty recordings. The label was based in New York City and aimed to capitalize on the growing market for phonograph records.

While not one of the largest or most enduring record labels of the era, Imperial Records released a significant number of 78 rpm records. The label's catalog included a variety of artists and musical styles reflective of the popular tastes of the time. Its recordings were often marketed towards a broader audience, encompassing different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Information regarding the specific individuals behind the label's founding and its subsequent history is somewhat limited in readily available historical sources. Imperial Records is generally considered a minor label of the pre-Depression era recording industry, overshadowed by larger and more established companies like Victor, Columbia, and Brunswick. By the 1930s, Imperial Records had ceased operations. Its recordings are now primarily of interest to collectors and researchers studying the early history of recorded music in the United States.