The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

52 THE TALKING IVIACHINE WORLD. FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued.) definition. The advance in this season's model over the last is the new means of holding the diaphragm, of specially treated porous carbon, in a manner somewhat similar to the most modern disc sound box method, viz., by pneumatic pressure. The" diaphragm is much more free to vibrate by this means than by any other yet adopted, hence the great improvement in the tone and volume. The Microphonograph Co. are to be congratulated on the certain success of their latest product. TRADE REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCES. NOETH OF ENGLAND NOTES. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Manchester, England, Jan. 4, 1908. Not-nithstanding the various optimistic opinions expressed during the past few months, trade generally is reported as not so good as was expected, in some cases dealers report larger sales, but on closer profits. The disc record trade has been good, Zonos, Favorites and Odeons all being in good demand. The cheaper class of disc machines are not selling so rapidly as last season, customers now beginning to see that a good machine at a fair -price is much more satisfactory than a cheaper make; perhaps the exception is the Pathe 4os. model, which we hear has sold in big lots. This, however, is accounted for bj^ the fact that a cheap disc is the draw, for at Is. 6d. retail it appeals to most as a great deal at little cost. Pathe Freres recently had a trade show at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, which we hear was very successful. The best class of machines, such as Columbia Regal, have had a big run, and sufiScient of these could not be obtained to satisfy the demand. All the best houses have had exceptionally fine shows, with all latest novelties well displayed. In the cylinder section Edison's still had the largest run. Clarions also have had satisfactory sales. We cannot but admit the fact that sooner or later the cylinder trade will be to a very large extent replaced by discs, the average in one large house being: Disc goods, 80 per cent; cylinder goods, 20 per cent., of the sales. The manufacturers have themselves somewhat to blame for this, because the various dropping in prices (after authoritative assertions to the contrary) have caused many dealers to regard them with suspicion and consequently they are very chary not to stock only the barest requirements so that they shall have a safe stock. As a case in point, a short time ago the price of records was Is. retail; a little later it was reduced to 9d., with an old record in part exchange; a little later still it was to be sold at 9d. without the exchange. Now, the dealer paid in the first place 8s. per doz. f2U per cent., or 2s. 9d. doz. 4^ ROBINSON'S ^ ^ Reliabilities ^ Are The "REPROPHONE" Disc TalHing Machines, "FAVORITE," " BEKA," "ZONO" and"ODEON" Discs (All good numbers kept in stock) The "MASTER** Ball Bearing SOUND BOX to suit all makes of Disc Machines. "Real Good" NOTE,— I import direct via ship canal, buying the very best goods on cash lines. ! sell to the dealers wholesale, but, in addition, do a large retail and export trade, packing and shipping to all parts of the v^-orld. with increasing trade and satisfactory results to buyer and seller alike. I am prepared to consider any propositions from manufacturers who desire a share of the business in the UNITED KINGDOM upon mutually advantageous lines, whereby 24 Years* Traveling Experience on the rood, with a large clientele, combined with Brains, Bustle and Business Ability will bring grist to the mil] on both aides. If this interests YOU, jtist write folly (Don't be afraid of an extra line or page) J^S YOU MAY RELY UPON Promptness. Energy and Straight Dealing. Best references 1 concentrate upon DISC and PHONO. GOODS entirely "ROBINSONS" The Talkeries 213 Deanstfkte E«tabli«)icd 1904 MANCHESTER, ENG. net) for those goods. This leaves after the reduction at 9d. has been knowTi lV4d. profit to the dealer retail who has bought previously, which is out of all reason. Hence this feeling of insecurity does exist and will continue to do so for some time to come. In the disc department cutting price is still prevalent with some houses, and this in spite of all agreements. The only cure for this is to penalize every factor for a good round sum in case of contravention, say £1,000, and also penalize the dealer for £100. If the factor knows that he stands to lose if he does not lake due precaution he will take care that he does. If the dealer also knows he will stand to lose his £100 in case of breach of agreement he will be careful not to do so. As long as no penalty clauses are inserted the question of these agreements is one that is constantly ignored, the consequence being that the goods get into bad commercial channels, where, as there is nothing to lose, and sales at cut prices are made a special feature of. This in spite of less profits, for customers are now more particular in choosing records than formerly. It is nothing uncommon for a customer to hear 20 or 30 records before a purchase is made. Everyone here is on the tip toe of expectation, a feeling of something impending in the early months of the New Year, with a consequential clearance of stocks at any prices possible. Want of confidence between manufacturer and dealer is largely resjwnsible for this, and the sooner the atmosphere is cleared the better it will be for the entire industry. Several new inventions are likely to be introduced at an early date, one that may particularly do well, it is an air pressure apparatus that can be adapted to nearly all disc machines upon the market at a nominal cost, although the writer has not had time to carefully examine it, we are informed that it is a considerable advance and improvement upon all existing systems whereby air as used by pressure is applied and the results being exceptionally fine. Another invention likely to come to the front also is a clever sound box improvement, whereby the sound can be increased or decreased at will; attached to the sound box and without any mechanical device attached to the tone arm, it is good, and will at once place the purchaser of it in the same position even though it is the cheapest disc machine that he has, as though he had bought one of the most expensive fitted with a patent modulator. Business necessities during the past month have kept the writer fairly occupied, so that the necessary amount of time has not been available for special reports. In the next issue, however, we shall try to give the experiences of the Northern traders in the various towns as before, meanwhile please accept our heartiest greetings for the opening of 1908 and trust in saying so that it will be a prosperous and thoroughly remunerative season for all readers of The Talking Machine World in every clime wherever this journal circulates. PREPARING TO MOVE TO NEW QUARTERS. The Victor Distributing and Export Co. are making preparations to remove their office from 256-257 Broadway to 83 Chambers street, New York, their future home, In the course of the next few weeks, when alterations are completed. Manager Williams speaks of their holiday trade In the most optimistic way and says the new year will make a new high record for the entire trade. WORTH TO YOU U THIS is a pretty fair sample of a trade paper is it not? f[ Subscribers in all parts of the world do not hesitate to say they couldn't keep business house without this publication being a regular visitor. f[ Go through it carefully from cover to cover. The variety of news, the educational features, the technical matter, and the correspondence and departmental work united make an invaluable repertoire for any one interested in talking machine lines. f[ It costs but a dollar to receive it for twelve months. All countries outside of the United States and Mexico, $1.25. ([ We publish also THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW— the oldest music trade publication in this country, and many do not hesitate to say, absolutely the best and most reliable in every respect. It is published every Saturday and contains from fifty to sixty pages of trade and technical news, covering every department of the music trade line. Regular subscription $2 in the United States and Mexico. All other countries $4. f[ We publish some technical works which are interesting to those who care to obtain an accurate knowledge of the piano. "Theory and Practice of Pianoforte Building" is the only work ever produced in the English language covering the subject of pianoforte history and construction. It is profusely illustrated with original drawings, cloth bound, and contains about two hundred pages. Sent, postpaid to America and Mexico, $2. All other points, $2.20. f[ We also put forth The Piano or Tuner's Guide which is a standard work on tuning and so conceded by competent authorities. This is a book of convenient size, containing about one hundred pages. Cloth bound. Price, post paid, America and Mexico, $1. All other countries $1.10. f[ Dealers and tuners should have these books. EDWARD LYMAN BILL 1 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK, N. Y.