The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 49 New Sterling Records a Surprise. I recently had the pleasure of hearing certain advance records made under Russell Hunting's new process system. All who have not heard these latest "Sterlfngs" have a revelation in store. Compared with the old records the volume of sound is distinctly superior; being of a full and rich quality, their sweetness is only intensified by greater volume. More particularly is this so in the case of a pianoforte solo recorded under this new system. It is a record of singular clearness and most natural. There are very few good pianoforte solos on cylinder records so the one under mention is worthy of the highest praise. The trade will be supplied with lists no doubt by the time this is in print. Elsewhere we print particulars of a very generous exchang.. proposition introduced by the Russell Hunting Record Co. Christmas Sales Make Good Showing. Reports from the various talking machine houses show a raost favorable condition in respect to actual piano sales. So great was the rush that many firms were working all night, and in certain instances orders, more especially from the Provinces, could not be dispatched owing to the pressure of extra work. It is a long time since I have been able to speak of such satisfactory business, and it may be seasonable to urge dealers not to imagine that trade should be anything but along the same lines after as before Christmas. There will be better opportunities to make money during the next four months and it is as well to remember that trade, like every other good thing, comes only to those that seek it. Keep your customers well postea with suitable new issues, advertise in local papers and above all stock as largely as possible and make a nice, (bright and attractive window display. These are but a few things that the enterprising dealer indulges in as a matter of course. Do the same! New Accordeon Records. A noteworthy recruit to Columbia record makers is Peter Wyper, who has been well de scribed as "the king of accordeon players." Mr. Wyper has been for some time connected with the talking machine trade as a retailer, and, being thus able to gauge the public taste at firsthand, he has in the past made, on his own account, a good many cylinder records of the accordeon which have been readily taken up by factors and have proved very good sellers indeed. Now he has agreed to make disc records for the Columbia Company exclusively. His first batch of Columbia discs comprises a selection of hornpipes, jigs and other spirited dances which are heard to such particularly good effect on the lively accordeon. Lyon & Co.'s New Catalog. A. Lyon & Co., City Road, send along for review one of their latest catalogs of graphophone supplies covering pedestal outfits, disc machines, record cases and albums, sound boxes, etc. Season 1907-8 wholesale price list has also been issued, mention and prices of everything in this industry is listed under respective headings which greatly simplify matters. Dealers will find these a ready and handy guide of practical usefulness. "Talker" on the Stage. A sketch companj' is now touring the suburban music halls with a dramatic piece worthy of special comment in a talking machine journal, inasmuch as the sketch has been written round the talking machine. Assimilating the title to the popular description of the many "Girl" plays of the hour, the producers call this piece "The Phonograph Girl." There is no fear of the leading player ever needing prompting, for the most prominent "artiste" is a Columbia sound-magnifying graphophone. Not only are the Columbia people thus represented in the "cast," but they also figure prominently in the "scenery," one of the scenes being described in the programme as "the interior of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s depot in Oxford street, W." New Edison Bell Catalog. Catalog No. 7 of genuine Edison Bell records has been issued to the trade. A numerical index is provided and thus no time need be lost in finding any particular selection in the pages following. The Edison Bell Co. report splendid business in December, particularly was this apparent during the Christmas buying time. At the time of my call, there were quite a small army of dealers in their showrooms and it seemed that stocks were likely to run short in spite of heavy deliveries from time to time. Figuring in a Political Joke. A story of how the talking machine figured in. a political joke comes from Preston. It appears the Socialists of the town had made all preparations for a party and political demonstration. On the eventful day the Socialists found that the hall had been entered during the night and that besides severing the electric wires, oil had been poured into kettles intended for the tea, while the Socialistic motto had been torn from the walls. Before they recovered from their surprise, a procession of tradesmen's carts began to arrive, loaded with all sorts of things, while a load of gramophones and phonographs brought up the rear. All were sent away more quickly than they came. It was a cruel hoax and it is safe to say that the talking machine has never before suffered such an indignity. National Phonograph Co. Secure Injunction. The National Phonograph Co. obtained judgment in seeking an injunction to restrain Mr. H. Bateman, of Station Road, Walthamstow, from selling Edison phonograph records at less than the current price. No defense was filed. It was explained that Mr. Bateman with other dealers had signed an agreement prepared by the company with the object of preventing the underselling of records. In this agreement the current price was Is. 6d., but Mr. Bateman had sold them for less. Such underselling, counsel stated, would ruin the whole market, a perpetual injunction with costs was granted. Heard at Olympic Fun City. One of the principal features of the Olympic Fun City this year will be opera concerts by the gramophone. Tetrazzini's voice will be heard, as THREE SPLENDID TALKING MACHINES The "White" Leader Phonograph, £3:3:0 The "Neophone" Machine Six Models, £2 : 10 : 0 to £12 : 12 : 0 and the Star Talliing Machine Three Models, £S : 8 : 0, £12 : 12 : 0 and £17 : 17 : 0 Retail These form a trio hard to beat, they are all grand instruments, and the younger member, the STAR, contains every improvement which skill and forethought have up to the present succeeded in evolving in the Talking Machine industry. The universal opinion is that THE STAR TALKING MACHINE IS MILES BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE UPON THE MARKET These machines and the celebrated "WHITE" and NEW NEOPHONE RECORDS, are all to be obtained from THE GENERAL PHONOGRAPH COMPANY, Ltd. 1 Worship Street, Finst>ury, I_.on<lon, E. C.