[78-L] Cameo Record Corporation

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

Recently on 78-List, there was discussion of Cameo Records and when it 
might have been founded. The following not only provides that 
information but indicates CBS planned an assignment of trade-marks and 
trade-mark registration from Cameo Record Corporation to Columbia 
Recording Corporation, Friday, May 19, 1939, The assignment was never 
filed. Here are some of the details.

Document #324 Assignment of Trade-marks and Trade-mark Registrations 
from Cameo Record Corporation to Columbia Recording Corporation, 
Friday, May 19, 1939
This curious document, which was to have been filed in New York County 
in New York State, comes from a ledger book. The bottom edges of the 
two pages are worn; the corners are missing. Of particular interest is 
the fact it is dated three days before a certificate of amendment was 
filed changing the name of American Record Corporation to Columbia 
Recording Corporation. The date given the filing of the Certificate of 
Amendment is May 19, not May 22, the actual date it was filed. The 
persons who were to have signed the Cameo document are unnamed, there 
are no signatures, no corporate seals, and no notary stamp. This 
indicates the document was never completed and filed. The persons who 
were required to sign the document may not have been found nine years 
after the fact. Perhaps a similar document was prepared for assigning 
the trade-marks and trade-registrations of Regal Record Corp., which 
was also part of American Record Corp. in 1930, over to Columbia 
Recording Corp.

The author has not seen and does not know of the existence of such a 
document. Launched in February 1922, Cameo also owned the 50-cent 
Lincoln label (1924-1930), made by The Lincoln Record Corporation, and 
the 25-cent Romeo imprint, with no manufacturer name. Romeo was a 
client label for S. H. Kress  & Co. department store chain. Labels 
disestablished in 1930 include Cameo, Grey Gull Records, Herwin 
Records, and Lincoln Records. Labels disestablished in 1931 include 
Broadway Records, Madison Records, Radiex Records, and Regal Records. 
Those disestablished in 1932 include Diva Records, Hit of the Week 
Records, Van Dyke Records, and Velvet Tone Records. Domino Records was 
disestablished in 1933. In addition to the date in the copy below, the 
date is also handwritten in ink at the top right of the first page. The 
text follows:

ASSIGNMENT: Whereas, Cameo Record Corporation, a corporation duly 
organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York was the 
owner of the following trade-marks, and registrations in the United 
States Patent Office, together with the good-will and business 
appurtenant thereto:

No.		Date				Mark
161,089           November 7, 1922               “Cameo”
191,332	November 4, 1924	        “Cameo-Kid”
236,819	December 20, 1927	        “Variety”
238,493	February 7, 1928	        “Romeo”

Now, therefore, in consideration of One Dollar ($1.00) and other good 
and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby 
acknowledged, Cameo Record Corporation by its former officers and 
liquidating trustees have sold, assigned, transferred and set over and 
by these present sell, assign, transfer and set over, as of January 6, 
1930, unto Columbia Recording Corporation (formerly American Record 
Corporation, by change of name dated May 19, 1939 to Columbia Recording 
Corporation) a corporation of the State of Delaware, having offices in 
the City, County and state of New York, its successors and assigns, the 
entire right, title and interest in and to the following trade-marks 
and trade-mark registrations, together with the business and the 
good-will appurtenant thereto.

No.		Date		    	Mark
161,089	November 7, 1922	“Cameo”
191,332	November 4, 1924	“Cameo-Kid”
236,819	December 20, 1927	“Variety”
238,493	February 7, 1928	“Romeo”

In witness whereof, the former officers and liquidating trustees who 
were in charge of the property and assets of Cameo Record Corporation 
have hereunto set their hands and seals this  ________
Day of __________ 1939.

Cameo Record Corporation

By________________________

By________________________

State of (blank)
County of (blank)

On this _________ day of ____________, 1939, before me personally 
appear ___________, to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn 
did depose and say that he was the ___________ of Cameo Record 
Corporation on January 6, 1930, and that he acted in the capacity of 
liquidating trustee of said corporation, and that he executed the 
foregoing instrument to transfer said trade-marks, business and 
good-will as of January 6, 1930.

Given my hand and seal this  ________ day of ________ 1939

________________________
Notary Public

State of (blank)
County of (blank)

ON this ___________ day of ___________, 1939, before me personally 
appeared _____________, to me personally known, who, being by me duly 
sworn did depose and say that he was the __________ of Cameo Record 
Corporation on January 6, 1930, and that he acted in the capacity of 
liquidating trustee of said corporation, and that he executed the 
foregoing instrument to transfer said trade-marks, business and 
good-will as of January 6, 1930.

Given my hand and seal this _________day of __________ 1939.

_________________
Notary Public