The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 47 69 BASINGHALL STREET, LONDON, E. C, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. TRADE HAPPENINGS IN ENGLAND. Review of Last Year's Business and Some Remarks Anent the Prospects for the New Year — Peculiar Suit in Which Neophone Shares Figure — A Progressive Imperial Record Co. Representative — Edison-Bell vs. National Phonograph Co. Litigation — Higher Prices for Horns — Stirling Improvements — Recent Talking Machine Publicity — New Exchange System Inaugurated by the Russell '^Hunting Co. — New Laws of Interest to the Trade — The New Seymour Reproducer — News from the North of England — Cutting of Prices in This Section Strongly Condemned and Protection Suggested — Several New Inventions Likely to be introduced at an Early Date Which Will Interest the Trade — All the News of the Month. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) London, E. C, Jan. 3, 1908. Christmas has come and gone! During the month of December,, especially the week preceding Christmas, dealers everywhere, in fact, the whole trade, enjoyed a spell of prosperity which did one's heart good to witness. Even the proverbial grumbler wore a smile and hustled around in quite an unusually energetic manner for once. The people were out to buy, and as fast as one customer went there was always another to fill the gap. And still they came; buyers all the time. Attracted by the bright strains of a waltz, carol, or other seasonable music, folks were brought to stay a while and drawn as by a magnet to step inside and hear just one more, while the dealer made manifest the art of salesmanship by seeing customers depart with more than they intended to buy. It was a glorious time for business. No matter in which direction one went, it was the same, and trade never seemed at a standstill at any time. Truly a great and overwhelming demonstration of the hold and favor of the talking machine with the public. Progress all along the line. The man that says trade is declining had a surprise this last month. He is usually one who presides over a dirty, ill-stocked, and dimly-lighted shop that is passed by unnoticed. Let him emulate the example of his more enterprising brethren and put his house in order; then shall he find a more prosperous new year. While admittedly the talking machine industry is at the present time in somewhat of an unsettled state in this country, it has little terror for the man who is a creator — rather than a creature of circumstances. Industrial and other disturbances are usually but of a temporary character, and knowing this, the business dealer never flags in those little attentions, and publicity printers that attract buyers to his store all the time. The year just gone has produced quite, if not more, than its full quota of disturbing trade elements. What with the threatened railway, cotton, shipbuilding and other disputes, not to mention the many actual strikes, even though small, all exercise an adverse influence on trade. If not for this, no doubt many firms would have been able to show an exceptionally good balance on the year's trading. These influences, combined with the increased competition among manufacturers of disc and cylinder goods, has tended to reduce individual profit accounts. Undoubtedly there are now too many separate records on the market, and with so many manufacturers, each turning out their thousands a week, it means that sooner or later this cutthroat competition of prices indulged in will have its effect. The demand is great and increasing, but the greater supply is already having a bad and weakening influence on the trade generally. The new year will perhaps produce developments which should strengthen the situation to the good of all. Still, it is very satisfactory to remember that trade as a whole has shown much progress during 1907 as compared with the previous year, and it is safe to say the demand for talking machines will continue to make still better advance in the future. International Favorite Co. Progress. A splendid business report comes from the International Favorite Co., whose London branch is located at 45 City Road. It will go far toward confuting the rumors of bankruptcy which have been spread abroad in connection with this company, and which I have been asked to deny absolutely. "There is not the slightest grounds for such a slanderous statement," said Mr. Vischer, "and far from such being the case, I may say that this business is on a strong financial basis, and as an index of prosperity it may interest some of our friends to know that we are enjoying a most satisfactory trade." November and December business was more than the whole preceding twelve months put together, and judging by the greatly increasing demand, the "Favorite" re'cord is taking a permanent place in the favor of music-loving enthusiasts. In previous issues I have spoken upon the general excellence of these disc records, and tor true naturalness their latest issues want a lot of beating. Among those more particularly worthy of mention are the following: "Valentine's Song," from Faust, and the "Two Grenadiers" (Schumann, both sung by Stanley Wentworth; "Autumn" (chaminade), piano solo, played by G. S. Bezemer, and Ed. Grieg's "Nocturne," by the same artist; the Earl of Lonsdale's private military band gives us "Coronation Bells," with chimes, and "God Speed" march, by Middleton; selection from "The Gondoliers" (Sullivan), and "A Hunting Scene," descriptive. The "Secrenade" (Dedla) and "Souvenir" are two wonderfully true-tone violin solos by Mr. Schumacher; and the Favorite Orchestra gives the "Vilja Song," and "Sirens of the Ball," from "The Merry Widow" opera of Lehar's. Others of equal quality are listed, and the Favorite Co. will be pleased to forward full lists to all dealers requiring to handle a line of records that shows good profit and easily sells. Spiritualism and Finance. An action was brought by Mrs. Porter, of Southsea, to irecover from Alfred George Vigurs, a collector for the Portsea Gas Co., £300 paid for Neophone shares. Mrs. Porter takes great interest in spiritualism, and at a seance met a medium named Mrs. Davies, who persuaded her to buy Mr. Vigurs' shares, stating that they were a splendid Investment. Mrs. Davies is alleged to have also told Mrs. Porter that the company had always paid 10 per cent, dividend, and that a rich American was coming over to buy up the company and would pay £2 or £3 for every share. By the same post that Mrs. Porter received the transfers she got a notification that the company was going into liquidation. Mrs. Porter was cross-examined by Mr, Peterson, K.C. She admitted that before the sale of the shares she went to a shop and heard a neophone play. She thought it was a better instrument than a gramophone, as it sounded softer. Were neophone shares a popular investment in Southsea? Mrs. Davies told me so. Robert Walker Sherwin, a solicitor, of Commercial Road, Landport, said that Mrs. Porter and Mr. Vigurs attended by appointment at his office after the failure of the company. Mr. Vigurs told him that Mrs. Davies had offered to introduce a purchaser for his shares on condition that he bought her 240 shares for £245. Out of the £300 he received from Mrs. Porter he paid Mrs. Davies the £245, and received from her a guarantee that he would not be at any loss over the transaction if Mrs. Porter subsequently sued him. Mr. Howell, who was connected at one time with the Neophone Co., said it "never paid a dividend in its life." He himself was a substantial shareholder. Alfred George Vigurs, the defendant, was next called. He said he was not a spiritualist. Neophone shares were recommended to him by a local bank manager as a good investment. There was a meeting of the company at which the chairman expatiated on the "grand outlook." He had not heard that a receiver for the debenture holders had been appointed, and he believed that the company was prosperous. It was untrue that there had been any previous understanding or arrangement between himself and Mrs. Davies, or that she had given him an indemnity against any proceedings taken by Mrs. Porter. Mrs. Mary Davies, the medium, was the next witness. She said she was interested in "phone" shares almost from the beginning, and must have been one of the very earliest shareholders. Up to the time she sold her shares are recognized all over Europe and the Colonies as the TAVORITE" DISC RECORDS Most Popular and Progressive llecord Made During 1907 ^'9^ For these reasons : The Material, Workmanship and Finish is EQUAL IF NOT BETTER than other records sold at double the 1 1 price. The reproductions are absolutely the BEST ON EARTH. The Bands, Artists have World Wide Reputations || The Price is Right THREE SHILLINGS EACH for Double Sided 10-inch Concert Size (retail) JOBBER.S ( /hole jr'^) Who Want aL Good Thing rrtrTnt^eTfitr ''^^ '"'^^ FAVORITES are handled by every FIRST CLASS 'Wholesale House in Europe and the Colonies. Get in Touch with Favorites Ijight Along or You'll be Left We cannot tell you all the good points in an advertisement but ■we can in a letter (first class houses only considered) Favorite Records are Good. Intelligently Sold they Provide the Backbone Your Business Needs . 'WE HAVE A GRAND LIST right up-to-date. 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