The Phonograph Exchange Company opened in November 1903, owned by Frederick William Hawkins. In addition to to shop he made Star Phonograph Records, some titles were local recordings including the Bells of Norwich Cathedral and minstrel performers from the seaside town of Great Yarmouth. He opened a second shop at 79 Prices Street Ipswich.
In July 1905 he took rooms and a shop at 73 Farringdon Street, London so that he could supply London Dealers with his Star Phonograph Records. By December records were being made in the London premises.
In March 1906, Mr Robert Vaughn Farrish of Kensington who invested £280 in the business. The partnership lasted three months when it was dissolved with Farrish retaining the London business and Hawkins the shops in Norwich & Ipswich. Unable to pay the rent on the Norwich shop the Landlord took over the business and the stock, which was not sufficient to cover the debt. The London record business was a failure as Farrish was under-sold by larger houses and himself became bankrupt. Tony Langford (2025)
