The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

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THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 25 order to do the same amount of business that they have been accustomed to doing. We intend to devote considerable attention to the importing of toys and novelties. The writer expects to go abroad in the very near future, and when he returns will put a good many of our friends and customers wise to some profitable articles which are staple and good sellers at all times. So, jobbers, do not listen to panic shouters, loosen up and keep in touch with the progressive spirit of the times and your next year's profits should not only be equal to the one just passed, but show a healthy improvement." W. C. FUHRI. * W. C. Fuhri, district manager Columbia Phonograph Co., in chatting on the past, present and future, said: "Ten years ago, when I announced to my friends and advisers that I intended to enter the employ of the Columbia Phonograph Co., they threw up their hands and told me I would be very foolish to give up the good position I held to accept one with the above firm. They prophesied the business would not last; that the graphophone was a novelty, and that the public would soon tire of it. I postponed the 'happy event' for about six months, then when another chance offered I joined the Columbia company. I do not intend to write an autobiography, but simply wish to show the esteem in which the business was held ten years ago. Each succeeding year has witnessed a wonderful improvement in the graphophone and a remarkable growth of the business. "So large has been the growth of the business and so great has been the desire to get into it that the owners of the fundamental patents have been kept busy protecting their rights from infringers. The year 1907 was the greatest and best in the history of the business — the greatest in volume of sales and the best because of the wonderful improvements made. "The graphophone is a staple article, as staple as the piano, or any other musical instrument. I am sure we can claim it outclasses any other musical instrument, because it is all musical instruments combined. The intrinsic musical value of the graphophone is becoming recognized more and more every day. We have just experienced 'hard times,' and our friends in the piano business tell us that during the Christmas holidays they sold a number of high-grade graphophone outfits to people who previous to the advent of 'hard times' were regarded by them as 'piano prospects.' When Christmas came they purchased a graphophone instead of a piano. "Past experiences and the present outlook lead us to believe that the future of the business will be greater than we ever dreamed of in the early days. The manufacturers are never satisfied with their achievemenits and are continually striving for absolute perfection. "I believe I would be safe in predicting that if the next ten years show the same degree of advancement which has been attained during the past ten that not only every home, but every up-to-date apartment will be equipped with a graphophone and a complete library of records, and that apartments thus equipped will be as much sought after by the renting public as real money was sixty days ago. When this eventful day comes the fellow who writes 'bum jokes' about the talking machine in the neighbor's flat will be out of a job. It will be 'horse.^and horse' then." A. V. CHANDLER. A. V. Chandler, representative for the National Phonograph Co., said: "Talking machine jobbers and dealers are busy summing up the past year and making comparisons with a year ago, and wondering if the talking machine business has reached a high limit or will be ever on the increase as in the past. "The now receding financial flurry which has caused the heads of all business concerns to dive into the innermost details of their waste producing systems, to reduce expenses, etc., has brought on some peculiar situations. For instance, some dealers have had a decrease in their instalment business, but are enjoying increased cash sales. A large increase in the number of Edison dealers to add the complete catalog of records to their stock is another "hard times" happening. "Hard luck" stories are few and a cheerful report is received from most dealers — even from those who have, from local causes, experienced a slump in their business. They expect good business to come even if it is late coming. Of course, the "calamity howler" is heard occasionally, but I find him to be a rare bird in the talking machine tree. Several dealers report that business was much better the week between Christmas and New Year's than in the week preceding the holidays. "The Clearing House check is rapidly disappearing and there is a general feeling that the storm is past. Furthermore, in looking backward along the path of the storm we are agreeably surprised to note that the vista reveals no wreckage of talking machine concerns. "Now, let's to work and send the wheel spin (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Chicago, 111., January 6, 1908. Frederick Sheppy has resigned as manager of the talking machine department of the Spiegel furniture store in order to devote himself to his talking machine repair and specialty manufacturing business. Messrs. Hawthorne and Sheble, of the Hawthorne-Sheble Mfg. Co., are expected in Chicago about the fifteenth. Roy Keith, city sales manager for the Talking Machine Co., is again in harness after a brief but vigorous combat with the "grippe." Get busy with your notes of congratulation. The engagement is announced of Benjamin Feinberg, of Dillbahner & Feinberg, proprietors of the Western Talking Machine and Supply Co., to Miss Michelson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isador Michelson, of Cincinnati, O. Wm. H. Petrie, for the past four years assistant in the retail small goods department at Lyon & Healy's and prior to that assistant small goods buyer at the Rothschild department store in this city, has resigned in order to accept the position of manager of the retail small goods, sheet music and talking machine departments of the R. C. Bollinger Music House, Fort Smith, Ark. Mr. Petrie leaves Chicago to assume his new position on Thursday of this week. He has a host ning with renewed vigor and when we reach the always to be expected quiet of July and August, may we be able to look back and see the 'talkers' still climbing to reach the high water mark of the business. Every indication points to an excellent trade during 1908. You, Mr. Dealer, are in the limelight. You are the one to keep the mill going. When the manufacturers point with pride to their increasing business remember that it means that the dealers by energetic pushing have increased not only their own, but the makers' business also. "Observe the immense amount of advertising being done by the talking machine companies. This costs money. But the results are paying for it. Why not let some results pay your advertising bills? Think it over. This means you, Mr. Small Dealer. The larger dealers were small dealers, but 'results' constituted the magic food on which they have grown so great." of friends who will wish him all sorts of success in his new field. E. C. Plume, western wholesale manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co., returned to-day from a flying trip to New York, which he made via the limited both ways. While at headquarters he closed another large deal with a Western house for graphophones, particulars of which are withheld for the present. Mr. Plume reports business conditions as greatly improved in the * East and that Mr. Lyle and the rest of the Columbia executive are very much gratified with the outlook for the New Year. One of the finest things in the advertising way that the writer has seen is the edition de luxe folder devoted to Caruso and the Victor Victrola, sent out by Xyon & Healy, prior to the Christmas trade. Here's just a few selections from the text: "Thanks to the Victor Victrola, Caruso will sing for you on Christmas morning. Afterwards— 'Every day will be Christmas, if you like.' " "Christmas Cheer all the Year," was the heading of one of the pages. "Owning a Victor Victrola means that Caruso, Calve, Melba and all the opera stars will delight you with their choicest arias just as they are heard in grand opera at the Metropolitan and JOBBERS AND DEALERS IN EDISON PHONOGRAPHS YOUR PHONOGRAPH TRADE will be largely jncreased if you are handling the « MORRISSBV REPEATIIVQ ATTACMIVIBIVT," the only perfect return attachment ever invented. Returns in 3 seconds,, and apparently consumes no power of (he phonograph. Is simply attached. Retail price: For Home, $5.00; for Triumph, $6.00. Regular discounts to Jobbers and Dealers. Order now, from THOMAS F. MORRISSEY West Orange, N. J. TRADE NOTES FROM THE WESTERN METROPOLIS Sheppy Resigns from the Spiegel Store — IVIr. Feinberg Engaged — W. H. Petrie to Locate in Fort Smith — E. C. Plume's Eastern Trip — Lyon & Healy Publicity — Wurlitzer's Window Display — United Film Service Association Holds Important Meeting — Some Viascope Literature— Other Items of General Interest to Talking Machine World Readers.