Nipper

His Master's Voice

ConcertRecordGramophone

DalyGandTlabelHMV

VictorTalkingLogo

RCA dog

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Nipper (1884–1895) was a dog who became the iconic image for a range of audio recording brands, including His Master's Voice (HMV), RCA Victor, and the Victor Talking Machine Company. He was born in Bristol, England, and was a mixed breed, possibly a Jack Russell Terrier with a bit of Fox Terrier and Bull Terrier. Nipper's name comes from his habit of trying to bite the backs of visitors' legs.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Nipper was originally owned by Mark Henry Barraud, a painter of theatrical scenery, who lived in Bristol. After Barraud's death in 1887, Nipper was taken in by Francis Barraud, Mark's younger brother and a London-based artist. It was with Francis that Nipper would find fame, though posthumously.

His Master's Voice[edit | edit source]

The most famous depiction of Nipper is in the painting "His Master's Voice." Francis Barraud painted Nipper listening intently to a wind-up gramophone, seemingly recognizing his late master's voice. After trying unsuccessfully to sell the painting to the Edison Bell Company, Barraud found a buyer in the Gramophone Company (later known as HMV). They requested that the phonograph in the painting be changed to a model of their own. This image went on to become one of the most recognizable trademarks in the audio recording industry.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Nipper's image has been used extensively in advertising and promotional materials for audio recording and equipment companies over the years. The iconic logo has appeared on phonograph records, radios, television sets, and other audio equipment. Despite the evolution of these companies and the industry, Nipper's image remains a symbol of audio fidelity and nostalgia.

In addition to commercial use, Nipper has been commemorated in various ways. Statues of Nipper can be found in locations significant to his life and the history of the recording industry, including in Bristol and near the former site of the RCA Victor factory in Camden, New Jersey.

In Popular Culture[edit | edit source]

Nipper continues to be a recognizable figure in popular culture, often associated with vintage audio equipment and the early days of recorded sound. His story and image evoke a bygone era when the phonograph was a novel invention, bringing the magic of music and voice to homes.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Nipper Resources
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