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    His Master's Voice
    Entertainment Retail; Music Licensing; Audio Equipment

    His Master's Voice

    United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom

    "A dog, a gramophone, and a century of sound."

    Founded 1899 Hayes, London (Original); Global licensing network
    Community

    About

    Francis Barraud painted the original artwork in London during 1898 after his family's terrier, Nipper, seemed to listen intently to wax cylinder recordings left by their deceased owner. The Gramophone Company registered this image as a trademark the following year, turning a quiet domestic moment into one of the most recognizable symbols in commercial history. That painting now sits alongside several duplicates in the EMI Archive Trust collection located in Hayes.

    The brand expanded rapidly across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, eventually becoming the backbone of the UK retail chain known simply as HMV. Emile Berliner and Eldridge R. Johnson secured rights to the mark in the United States under the Victor Talking Machine Company banner. While the corporate structure has fractured over time due to financial turbulence, the visual identity remains a constant thread connecting early phonographs to modern vinyl collectors.

    Products & Sub-brands

    Vinyl recordsCDsDVDsMusic merchandiseConcert ticketsNipper memorabilia

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns His Master's Voice (HMV) today?
    There is no single global owner; the brand is licensed to various regional entities, including Tsutaya Entertainment in Japan and independent operators in India and the UK, following the 2013 collapse of the original UK group.
    Is HMV still in business?
    Yes, HMV continues to operate in select markets like Japan and India, and maintains a small physical presence in the UK, though its scale is a fraction of its pre-2013 dominance.
    What does the dog in the HMV logo represent?
    The dog, named Nipper, was a real terrier whose owner's wax cylinder recordings he seemed to listen to after death; the image symbolizes the joy of listening to recorded sound.
    Where did the "His Master's Voice" logo come from?
    It was painted by Francis Barraud in 1898 in London, depicting his dog Nipper staring into a gramophone horn, and was first adopted by the Gramophone Company in 1899.
    Why did HMV go bankrupt?
    The UK HMV Group filed for administration in 2013 due to a combination of rising debt, declining physical music sales, and the inability to adapt quickly enough to the digital streaming revolution.

    Keywords

    NipperGramophoneVictor Talking MachineEMIVinylFrancis BarraudRecord LabelRetail Chain

    Sources

    WikipediaMIT PressBBC NewsNational Film and Sound ArchiveMeador Museum

    Company Info

    Founded
    1899
    Founder
    Gramophone Company
    Headquarters
    Hayes, London (Original); Global licensing network
    Industry
    Entertainment Retail; Music Licensing; Audio Equipment
    Parent Company
    Fragmented (Tsutaya Entertainment Japan; Various regional licensees)
    Logo Artist
    Francis Barraud
    Dog Name
    Nipper
    Original Painting Date
    1898
    Trademark Registration
    1899
    US Brand Name
    Victor Talking Machine Company
    UK Administration Year
    2013
    Current Major Owner (Japan)
    Tsutaya Entertainment

    Official Website

    www.hmvgroup.com

    Links

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