Hafner & Sutphin

Hafner & Sutphin
John Hafner and Eugene Sutphin started this import and distribution company in Philadelphia in 1880.

In 1926 Hafner left and the company became E.A. Sutphin, I know this firm lasted the 20's but they don't appear to be in business today.

Hafner & Sutphin didn't actually make the instruments they just brought them from the factories, put their own branding on some if not all of them and sold them to all of the local shops.

The Hafner & Sutphin name was certainly put on Ukuleles, (made by Oscar Schmidt and Regal possibly other firms too?) and certainly until 1924 their "own brand" name was Manono. I read that in 1925 they had changed the "own brand" name to Sterling, however Sterling was also a Tonk Bros. brand at the time so I am unsure here if both firms were trying to use this brand name or if Hafner & Sutphin were getting the instruments from Tonk Bros.? However I have seen Ukuleles with a yellow Sterling logo that was different to the black Tonk Bros. Sterling logo, (which has TBCo included on it), so there is a good chance they are separate.

Hafner & Sutphin branded Banjos and Banjo Mandolins Rydal but I've not seen any Ukuleles branded as such.