The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 73 HOME MOVING PICTURES Are Now Made Possible by the Splendid Machines Which Are Being Placed on the Market by Enterprising Manufacturers and Which Especially Appeal to Talking Machine Men as a Profitable Side Line. The World is especially glad to note the fast increasing popularity of the home moving picture machines and films in this trade. This is due to several reasons. In the first place, talking machine men are heeoming better acquainted with the proposition on the whole, and in proportion the antipathy for it held by many at the start is dying out. In fact, a large number who would not even consider the matter at first have been led into doing so 'by the ever-growing public demand for such devices, which has been brought about by the persistent advertising being carried on in the magazines and dailies by the manufacturers. Again these manufacturers have shown that they are working for the trade's interests, and by adopting some of the suggestions made them have greatly perfected their line and better adapted it for retailing by talking machine men. At a vei'y early date several new machines will be placed on the market which, we understand, will be sold at prices that will suit all purses. Western firms are doing the same thing and everywhere is evidenced an unusual activity, which condensed means simply prosperity for those getting in and pushing this line. There is one thing, too, Mr. Talking Machine Man, that you should bear in mind: These manufacturers are doing you a big favor in granting you the first opportunity of marketing their products; it is not as if they were compelled to do so. In fact, the camera and photo supply people have all along 'been after their goods, being only too ready to push them as they deserve, and it was more through the efforts of The World, which is ever in the field for the interest of its subscribers than to any particular love for this trade, that threw over the balance wheel in your favor. It therefore behooves those who have lacked the initiative necessary to make a success out of this line to wake up, unless they desire to see the matter taken completely out of their hands and the opportunity ripen in the basket of their next door neighbor. In order to substantiate our statements, we will refer to the reports of a prominent New York jobber who, after deciding to add the line, put his full energies behind it with the following results. Catering, as he did, to the wealthy class, he decided that in order to meet with any success he must get up outfits complete in every way regardless of expense. This he did, which included a machine, stand and the complete list of films of the manufacturer, these alone amounting to over one hundred dollars; the outfit to sell for $150. Then after fitting up a dark room for demonstrating with all the latest improvements and thoroughly training his salesmen in handling the machines — he then and not till then turned his attention to his customers, notifying them of the addition and cordially inviting them to come in and inspect same. Newspaper space was freely used, and in every way possible publicity given to the line. What was the conse The Improved Card Printer after a year of use is still the fatest and best Slot Machine. It prints any name on five cards for one cent, or twelve cards for five cents. Manufactured by THE CARD PRINTER CO., 79 E. 130th St., NEW YORK CITY wholesale: HEADQUARTIIRS FOR LEATHER Post Cards -AND Post Card ALBUMS Agents Wanted for a. Big Selling Novelty Line. Write for Cata.log\ie and Speciad Prices. Risley-Bird Mfg. Co. 94 Fifth Avenue, New York quence? The sales for three weeks preceding Christmas alone amounted to something like $6,000; in other words, forty of these outfits were sold, and these mostly for cash. True, you may say, and rightly, that not every talking machine man has such a trade, and that but few could sell $150 outfits, let alone for cash. It is also true that not every dealer can sell one-hundred, two-hundred or five-hundred dollar talking machines, but all are able to sell the less expensive outfits, in fact, the bulk of this business is done in the medium price machines. Likewise, in this other field, there are outfits to suit all classes, and it only needs a little push and ambition to make the comparison true in all respects. phone Oo. was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey for $100,000 on the 14th of December, 1907, with temporary offices at 55 North 11th street, Newark, N. J. The officers are L. P. Valiquet, president; Otto Zimmerli, vice-pTesident; Wm. Arthur, treasurer; V. Ferrer, secretary. SCIENTIST SELLERS DEAD. Harnessed Niagara, Invented Moving Picturesr^ Urged the Use of Absorbent Cotton. THE PHOTOPHONE IS THE LATEST Combination Moving Picture and Talking Machine to Make Its Appearance — Many NoVel Principles Involved. Once again Louis P. Valiquet, the well-known talking machine inventor's name, appears in the limelight, this time as the father of a new device called the Photophone. This, as its name implies, is a combination moving picture and talking machine. However, as this may be misleading, we will go a little into details: in fact, the invention is simply a moving picture machine which is constructed that it may be attached to a taper arm disc machine, the pictures and music both emanating from the horn; a most novel idea to be sure and one that is bound to attract lots of attention. A number of marked improvements are involved in its construction, one of which is that standard sized films of any make can be used. This is a big point, as this film can be bought or rented in any city in the world, good second-hand stuff being obtainable at from two to eight cents a foot. This machine is so made that it can also be used without the "talker." It will retail at about thirty to thirty-five dollars. The Photo POPULAR SIDE LINE FOR Talking Machine Dealers AUROCROME POST CARDS sell fast at good profit. Never out of stock. You can reorder at any time. Ask for our price card. Do it now, and use your letter-head. DOOLITTLE & HULLING, INC., 1002 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Dr. Coleman Sellers, whose eighty-one years of life were distinguished by many engineering and scientific services to humanity, died in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 28, as the result of a general physical break-up. He was born in Philadelphia and most of his notable work was accomplished there. Dr. Sellers started his career with an ordinary academical education. His first employment was as a draughtsman in a Cincinnati rolling mill. He was next foreman of a locomotive works, and then a member of William Sellers & Co.'s machine and tool manufacturing concern. It was in 1861 that he suggested the use of absorbent cotton at surgical operations. Experiments in photography led him to recommend glycerine to keep plates wet. The year he made his recommendation for absorbent cotton he obtained a patent on a "kinematoscope," a forerunner of the various methods in use to-day for presenting moving pictures. In 1889 Dr. Sellers saw the possibility of harnessing the tremendous power of Niagara Falls. He represented America in the Niagara Commission, of which the late Lord Kelvin was chairman, and since 1890 had been the directing genius behind the efforts to utilize the force of the mighty water course. The University of Pennsylvania granted Dr. Sellers the degree of Doctor of Science, and Stevens Institute the honorary degree of Doctor of Engineering. As early as 1877 the King of Sweden conferred upon him the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olaf. The doctor was the patentee of more than thirty inventions which have improved the efficiency of modern manufacturing machinery. HANDima THE EDISON PHONOGRAPHS. The Eiler's Piano House, Boise, Idaho, and the Koerher-Brenner Co., St. Louis, Mo., are new Edison jobbers. Their holiday business was excellent, taking into consideration the financial flurry now happily disappearing.