Nipper: His Master’s Voice

The dog on “His Master’s Voice” label is Nipper, a stray fox terrier found in 1884 by the brother of the guy who painted the picture of the dog listening to a gramophone, Francis Barraud. Barraud inherited Nipper from his brother and was busy painting a phonograph when Nipper sat down next to it. Barraud later sold the paintings to The Gramophone Company for $160.

“His Master’s Voice” was registered as trademark with the United States Patent Office in 1900. The Victor Recording Company, and later RCA Victor used the Nipper logo.