contempora

FYI - I finally got around to digging through the US Patent and Trademark archives and came across the paperwork for the Reynolds Emperor and Contempora brands, among other things. Turns out that the brand introductions were a little later than I'd originally thought:

Emperor: first use was November 1, 1947. Application filed in 1950 and registered in 1952.

Contempora: first use was May 5, 1949. Application filed in 1949 and registered in 1951.

So... that means that both brands were introduced after Reynolds had changed owners from founder Foster A. Reynolds to Scherl & Roth (1946). The fact that there are examples of Contempora and Emperor instruments marked "Made by F.A. Reynolds" isn't a conflict since I now know that the "Roth-Reynolds" business name wasn't used until ~1951/52.

That pushes part of my serial number list a little later than currently published. SN 30000 (circa the change from F.A. Reynolds to Roth-Reynolds) moves to 1951/52 instead of 1946. I'm working on a site revision with all this and hope to have that posted in the next few days.

P.S. First use of the "Reynolds" name in commerce was February 1936.

P.P.S. Ever wonder what the "A" in Foster A. Reynolds stands for? It's "Adolph". Not surprising that he wouldn't publicize that given a contemporary of his in the 1930s/1940s...

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ElShaddai Edwards
Contempora Corner
elshaddai@contemporacorner.com

Robert Rowe

I just want to thank you (publicly here), Mr. Edwards, for the work you have done with the ContemporaCorner website. I am a relatively new owner of Reynolds horns (my first can into my possession about a year ago). I have several prominent vintage horns of other makes, and I am impressed with the build-quality and tone. Able to find much info on the website.

( ... now, if only I can find a replacement bottom valve-cap for the Contempora ... )

Robt

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