Checking through old Detroit City Directories, I found the name of the President of Mitchell Phonograph Co. (Felix Sadowski.) I phoned a few "Sadowskis" in the Detroit and suburban phone books and eventually contacted his brother, who said Felix was retired and living in Florida.
I was a bit timid, but finally plucked up courage to write to him.
Mr. Sadowski told me that he had put out 50,000 records. They were given away with each phonograph he sold. The machines were made by Wisconsin Chair Company of Port Washington, with tone arms made by the Blood Tone Arm Company. He also said that some of the artist credits on "Mitchell" were added for fun. Tony Klein, a friend of his, contributed "A. Kein’s Orch" and vocalist "Adam J. Blake" was taken from the name of a men’s store across the street from the Gratiot Avenue store (What chance does a discographer stand?!)
Over the next few years I scoured the auction lists and managed to buy three or four more Mitchell records. Also (my friend) young Steve Hester spotted a Mitchell phonograph in a Pontiac store and let me know. I rushed over there and bought it for $225. Underneath the cabinet was a paper label identifying it as a "Paramount "X"" model. (Mark Wisniewski inherited it when I moved back to England.)
Then, one weekend in the early 80’s, I went to the re-sale market at the mall at Telegraph Rd and Pontiac Trail. One of the stalls was just stacked to the limit with old records and I introduced myself to the stall holder (George Shoen.) "Mike Jones?" he said, "I’ve got something for you" – and he reached under a counter and brought out five Mitchells!! – A gift!!
It seems that ten years previously he had seen my name in the 1970 Will Roy Hearne’s "Collectors Directory" – since then he had been setting aside Mitchells for me. He said, "I just figured we’d meet one day."
I finally wound up with 35 Mitchells, including the Jelly Roll Morton which I bought from veteran Detroit collector Orn Breen. But without the help of each and every one of the people I’ve mentioned, it wouldn’t have been possible.
Yes, you do meet the greatest people in this hobby of ours – take the M.J.R.C. for example: When club member Tom Saunders heard that I was interested in the Mitchell label, he sent me a tape of the three he had. They had originally belonged to his late father and were mentioned in the Record Research article of October 1961
The article which got me started!