Company Archives

Collected archives of product catalogs, brochures, price lists and print advertisements from over 40+ years of Reynolds history. The collection is presented over the major segments of company history, from 1936 to 1979.

1936-1946

F.A. Reynolds (Cleveland, Ohio)

Ohio Band Instrument Co. (Cleveland, Ohio)

There is limited documentation available from Reynolds' first decade of business. Print ads for Reynolds and Roth have been uncovered from 1940-42 and the folks at hnwhite.com have kindly provided a copy of an Ohio Band Instrument Co. catalog from their archives. A Reynolds catalog printed in 1949 has illustrations and design elements seemingly from this earlier time period.

Catalogs

F.A. Reynolds

Ohio Band

Print Ads

1946-1952

F.A. Reynolds, division of Scherl & Roth (Cleveland, Ohio)

In 1946, Foster Reynolds retired and Scherl & Roth took over all aspects of operations. This interim period of time, before the combined Roth-Reynolds name was introduced, includes the launch of the Contempora and Emperor model lines.

Catalogs

1949

1950

Print Ads

Miscellaneous

Half-sheet band folio

1952-1961

Roth-Reynolds (Cleveland, Ohio)

The 1950s and the Roth-Reynolds era are well represented in the archives, with product catalogs, artist brochures, instrument pamphlets, print ads and miscellaneous promotional items. This period saw the introduction of the Gothic-style Reynolds logo, which persisted in one form or another until 1970 when the all-lowercase logo was introduced. Evidently the company was using single colors in their printed materials—the green, yellow and brown-toned catalogs and brochures are accurately reproduced here.

Catalogs

1953

1954

1958

1959

Price Lists

1959

Artist Brochures

James Chambers

Max Pottag

Leonard Smith

Byron Autrey

George Reynolds

Harold Geerdes

Jim Murphy

Pamphlets

How to take proper care of your French Horn (c.1952-53)
Tuning the Reynolds Double French Horn (c.1954-58)

The Baritone comes of age—MP Tuning Slide Mechanism (c.1950-1952)
Flutes—From Boehm to Reynolds (c.1954)

Print Ads

Miscellaneous

Reynolds Dealer Flag

Leonard Smith poster (17"x22")

Album cover of "This is Teagarden!" (1956) with his Reynolds Professional trombone

Signed promotional photo of Jack Teagarden with Reynolds Professional Trombone (1957)

1961-1964

RMC/Reynolds (Cleveland, Ohio)

Richards Music purchased Reynolds in 1961 and began a hard turn from professional and artist marketing to focus on student options. Marketing and advertising had a heavy school focus and catalog descriptions are written for a less technical audience.

Catalogs

1963

Print Ads

1964-1970

Reynolds (Fullerton, Calif.; Abilene, Texas)

After Richards Music went bankrupt, CMI purchased the assets to Reynolds in 1964. The student focus remained, but there's an increased presentation of instrument specifications and unique feature details. Advertising was heavily Texas-themed in 1965 with the move to Abilene, then shifted to instrument characteristics.

Catalogs

1966

1970

Trumpets and Cornets
French Horns
Baritones and Background Brass
Trombones
Low Brass
Flutes

Price Lists

1968

Brochures

Trombone. Trigger Trombone. Trigger Trigger Trombone. (1969)

Print Ads

1970-1979

Reynolds (Fullerton, Calif.)

In 1970, Reynolds merged production lines with Olds in Fullerton and sold the Abilene plant to Conn. In most cases, a horn would come off the California production line and become either a Reynolds- or Olds-branded instrument based on detailing and finish.

Catalogs

1974

1977

Price Lists

1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978

Print Ads

The purpose of this website is to preserve the history of the F. A. Reynolds Company and the distinctive qualities of its brass instruments. Contempora Corner and contemporacorner.com are not related or associated in any way to the former or current F.A. Reynolds Company.