The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

42 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. As predicted, tlie new song, "Ev'ry Ship Will Find a Harbor," published by Weymann & Son, was one of the big hits in the January list of Edison records, in accordance with which this company have been besieged with orders for copies from dealers all over the country. But why just dabble with sheet music? Why not put in a first-class, up-to-date assortment? There is a good opening for it, and the profit satisfying. Adolf Weiss, of the Western Talking Machine Co., welcomed The World man with outstretched hands, backed up by that well-known inscrutable smile of his, and when asked how things were in his line expressed himself as having no complaint to offer in any quarter, but finally waxed enthusiasm over the new batch of Edison February records. The nine new ones sung by Harry Lauder, the well-known Scotch comedian, being voted by him the best ever. TRADE NEWS FROM THE GOLDEN GATE Business Picking Up Splendidly for the Past Couple of Weeks — Manager McCarthy Chats of the Growth of the Sherman, Clay Business— Other Houses Also Make Good Showing— That Talking Machine Luncheon — A Yokohama Dealer Bound East. (Special to The T.nlking Machine World.) San Francisco, Cal., Jan. 4, 1908. The way things picked up in the talking machine line during the last few weeks of the year was a distinct surprise to all the dealers, for while talking machines sold fairly well all season, and at least part of the time made a better showing than any line of musical goods, they were moving quite slowly during the early part of December. During the brief holiday sea.son, however, they took a spurt, and in many of the stores brought the holiday business ahead of last year. A. J. McCarthy, manager of Sherman, Clay & Co.'s talking machine department, says that the year ended in fine style, and the December business was the largest in the history of the house. In Oakland the number of machines sold was nearly 25 per cent, greater than the same month a year ago. In San Francisco the number sold was about the same, but the grade of instruments was far better than ever before. The house has formerly not been fully supplied with Victrolas, on which the demand has been rapidly growing, but on receipt of a straight carload of them a few weeks ago, they were extensively advertised, with the result that they were in unprecedented demand. This advertising also roused a good deal of country demand and orders have been steadily coming in to the wholesale department from districts which have not known of the Victrola before. Sherman, Clay & Co. will soon hegin giving Victrola concerts in the new Recital Hall every afternoon. One significant fact is that twice as many machines were sold at the new store as on Van Ness avenue. Other houses also -report a fine showing in the talking machine departments. Benj. Curtaz & Son have had a big run on Victor machines, and this department in Clark Wise & Co.'s store has been more profitable for the past month than any other. Kohler & Chase are taking an inventory of their department and are about cleaned out on some lines. Mr. Miller, manager of the San Francisco talking machine department, is surprised at the demand for Star goods and reports continued activity on the Edison line. The Columbia Phonograph Co. have made no notable changes of late, but everything is running smoothly, and the business has shown the same increase which has been seen elsewhere. The Oakland store has made a particularly enviable holiday record. Someone last week sent out cards to all the talking-machine men in San Francisco, announcing a "talking-machine luncheon" to be held on Thursday at a local restaurant. Nothing was known definitely about the matter, and principally out of curiosity most of the dealers attended. The result was a good-sized gathering, and a profitable interchange of views on matters of business. The affair proved so successful that a similar luncheon will be held every Thursday hereafter and much gain is expected to result from the better understanding that will be brought about by these meetings. Peter Bacigalupi states that the wholesale business is dull with collections very slow, especially from the larger houses. His retail store on Fillmore street has started in well for the holiday trade, though it is hardly as busy at last Christmas. F. W. Home, of Yokohama, the largest Columbia dealer of Jap^n, passed through San Francisco last week on his way to New York. He intends to remain in this country two years on a vacation, after many years of work in the Orient. He is one of the largest importers of American machinery in Japan, and several years ago became interested in the graphophone, placing a large order with W. S. Gray on his first trip to that country. His business has grown rapidly, the monthly purchases during the past year averaging as much as a whole year's business at the start. In the bulletin of the local office of the Columbia Phonograph Co. this month is a letter in cipher, which consists almost entirely of numbers of Columhia records, the titles of which, when put together, make a connected discourse. This is a good test of the familiarity of the salesmen with the goods they handle. THE NATIONAL PHONOGRAPH CO. Discuss Trade Conditions in so Far as it Effected Them During the Past Two Months — Only Temporary Falling Off Which Is Fast Being Made Up — Some Facts Which Show ,the Health and Energy of the Industry. "It would be idle to say that our business has not been affected by the conditions of affairs during the past two months," states the National Phonograph Co., "and yet we 'can honestly express our surprise that it has not been greater, considering the noise that has been made about the money market and business matters in general. The volume of our business was less in November and December than it would have been had money been plentiful, but we only regard the falling off as temporary, fully believing that the loss will be more than made up before March 1. "Our sales and shipments of phonographs and records during November and December were much larger than in 1906, but only about 75 per cent, of what they should have been. The usual number of jobbers" discounted their statements due Nov. 1 and Dec. 1. The business that we did in November and December would have been considered as enormous eighteen months ago. We confess to a feeling of surprise that so much fuss was made about trade conditions in November and December. "It is true that we cut down our factory force and decreased the production of phonographs and records, but neither of these would have been possible had we not accumulated a surplus stock during the summer that, because of the new equipment, had not yet moved. Since December 1 orders for phonographs and records have shown a steady and decided increase in number and size, and orders to cancel or defer shipment have ceased. "We have been putting on hands right through December, and a large number of those laid off a month before are now working as if nothing had happened. Our stock of surplus machines is practically used up, so that we shall be compelled early in January to resume the full schedule of production in order to keep pace with the demands of the trade." IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE TRADE. On December 14th I mailed labels for January and February, 1908, to those who subscribed. Did you? If not, fill in order below at once. Dealers' net prices for Rapke Labels (Numbers with titles) as carried in stock for all Records — For Edison Records or Columbia X. P. Records Set to end of year 1906, $3.50 per set. Set for the year 1907, $1.20 per year. For any month in year 1907 or 1908, 12c. per month. Labels for all Foreign Records in Edison Catalogues are kept up to date. Price of each new issue of foreign selections is based at the rate of 10 labels for five cents. Sets of Foreign Labels are carried in stock. Numbers without titles for Edison Records (Domestic) are carried in stock: the price of complete set from No. 2 to the end of year 1908 is $2.75. Price for the year 1908 is $1.00. When ordering labels, trays or other specialties of mine, please enclose remitta'nce as it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to open accounts. A Happy and Prosperous New Year, from yours Very truly, MR. PHONOGRAPH DEALER Take Me With You in Your Dreams. TEAR OFF HERE AND MAIL TO VICTOR H. RAPKE. 1661 SECOND AVE.. NEW YORK CITY. ORDER BLANK FOR RAPKE LABELS For the Year 1908. Kiu-losed find lor one year's subscriptioii of K'apke Labels for lulisoii Aiiicricaii KV'cords, wliic-h may be issued during the >oar lUdS. Mail to this .\ddross : 9754 Exiu l .Size o/ Kapki l.iilifl. Nil 111 e . City or Town . Street Count »•. Stntf If X. p. Isabels arc wiinted. strike out Eili.\oii oiul iiuirk X. P.