Nipper, that charming little dog with the soulful gaze, is not just a mascot but a beloved piece of history. Nipper’s tale begins in the late 19th century in a painting by Francis Barraud called “His Master’s Voice.” Francis adopted Nipper when his brother Mark passed away. Barraud captured a poignant moment: Nipper, a mixed-breed pup found as a stray in 1884 in Bristol, England, listening intently to a phonograph as if he could hear the voice of his late owner. This connection to music and memory would resonate deeply with people everywhere.

In 1900, Eldridge R. Johnson, founder of Victor Talking Machine Company, saw potential in this artwork, bought the rights to the painting, and adopted it as its trademark. Suddenly, Nipper became Victor’s face, symbolizing the magic of recorded sound. With their high-quality photographs, Victor was at the forefront of a revolution in how we experienced music.

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