Harold Pfau owned and operated a small audio electronics shop on South Delaware Ave.,
Milwaukee called Pfau Sound Equipment Co. In 1946 he began a side business, Pfau Sound and
Recording Studio which operated out of the same location; the "oldest recording studio in
Wisconsin" (Billboard, Aug. 18, 1958). Very little information seems to exist regarding the
operations of the company. Most information about the company's operations comes from music
trade magazines and brief mentions in Billboard magazine. Pfau, at least initially, sought
to offer recording services for private individuals, non-professional musicians, or anyone
who wanted to make a record of themselves. An undated print advertisement states "Loud
speaker sales, service, repairs. Drop in and see our recording studio. Make a phonograph
record of your church choir." Pfau's earliest commercial release was likely Louie Bashell's
"Louie's polka" / "Zidana marela" (Silk umbrella polka) recorded in May 1947. The company
went on to release dozens of 78-rpm discs, and beginning in early 1951, 45-rpm discs. The
company ended operations after Harold Pfau died May 14, 1958.
