The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1910)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 7 A LIVE MEMBER OF THE TRADE. Archie Matheis, Proprietor of Talking Machine Co., Minneapolis, Has Successful Career in Jobbing and Retail Fields. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Minneapolis, Minn., May 5, 1910. Arcnie Matheis, proprietor of the Talking Machine Co., located at 236 Nicollet avenue, this city, is one of the men who have made a special study of the talking machine business, and who as a result of the knowledge thus gained have made a success in that field. A few years ago Mr. Matheis joined the forces of Koehler <& Hindrichs, of St. Paul, as manager ARCHIE MATHEIS. of a couple of their departments, and learned that the firm had a jobber's contract with the Victor Talking Machine Co., but were not doing very much with it. Mr. Matheis took hold of that department, rearranged the stock and started a lively campaign among the dealers. The success of the venture necessitated larger quarters in a' very few months, whereupon the Edison line v/as added and proved equally successful. Mr. Matheis then entered the retail business, and following the lines that won success for him in the jobbing business, soon built up a strong trade. His work is an excellent example of what may be accomplished by a live wire in the talking machine business. THE NEWS FROM INDIANAPOLIS. Various Conditions Tend to Retard Trade — Kipp-Link Co. in New Quarters — Successful Woman Manager — Columbia Activity — Playing of Talking Machines Before Cheap Theaters — Other Trade News. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Indianapolis, Ind., May 6, 1910. The talking machine business in Indianapolis has not been so good for the last month. Several conditions have entered into this. Cold weather toward the close of April caused many to replenish their coal bins. The last month also was the final time for paying the first instalment on taxes. The talking machine houses feel the effect of such conditions more than stores which sell instruments of greater price. The Kipp-Link Co., who handle Edisons, are now transacting business in their new and commodious quarters in Massachusetts avenue, near the big Marott department store. A retail department is also conducted by the Kipp-Link Co., but, as usual, most of their attention is given to the wholesale business. The new location gives every promise of being a good one. Miss Ada Willsey, who has charge of the new store of the Musical Echo Co., in North Pennsylvania street, which handles Victors, is the only woman in Indianapolis, so far as is known, who is in charge of a talking machine store. She has been with the company for the last five years, and likes the business. The Musical Echo store is one of the neatest in the city. Business with this house has been good for the last month, the best demand being for the Victrola. Manager Devine of the Columbia Phonograph Co. is greatly pleased with a record by Lina Cavalieri, which is included in the list of sample records for June. He considers it one of the finest soprano records ever made, and he predicts a good sale for it. As an evidence that the advertising campaign which the Columbia Co. have been conducting with marked vigor for several months is beginning to bear fruit, the sale of two $225 Grafonolas in one day is cited. There seems to be a feeling among the jobbers that dealers generally are beginning to wake up to the fact that high-priced machines can be sold in smaller cities with less trouble and to better advantage than even the less expensive machines. H. H. Myers, traveling representative of the Columbia Co. in Chicago, was in Indianapolis one day. J. A. Herdman, traveling representative from Cincinnati, also stopped in Indianapolis on his way South. An ordinance is now in the Council which will prevent the playing of talking machines in front of the low-priced vaudeville houses. It might be thought on first impulse that the talking machine men would oppose this move. However, the playing of talking machines in front of the picture shows has never benefited the talking machine business very much. Machines in such places are allowed to get out of order, and old records are played over and over until the passing public get tired at the sound of a talking machine. It is evident that this is not so good for the business. And, again, the picture show field in Indianapolis is about full, and there is not a chance that there will be so many more picture shows for which the talking machine men can provide machines. The order issued by Mayor Shank which again permits the use of talking machines and electric pianos in the amusement resorts is proving a stimulus to the talking machine business to a certain degree. The Mayor declared that talking machines and pianos were useful in keeping the inmates of such resorts off the streets, and therefore were beneficial. Robert Campbell, investigating officer for the Children's Aid Association, has been making an investigation of the moving picture shows in Indianapolis. He says that most of the picture shows present scenes which are instructive. TO HANDLE "TALKERS" EXCLUSIVELY. The W. G. Walz Co., who conduct a large establishment in El Paso, Tex., have given up their line of pianos and organs and will devote themselves exclusively in the future to developing their business in talking machines and side lines. They handle the Victor and Edison machines and records and the I. C. S. phonograph language outfits. The business is now in active charge of Harry T. and William G. Walz, Jr., W. G. Walz, the head of the business, having retired. They have a handsomely equipped store and a good organization, and are destined to make a still greater record in the talking machine line. MME. ALDA MAKES VICTOR RECORDS. Mme. Alda, who recently became the wife of Signor Gatti-Casazza, director of the Metropolitan Opera Co., left for Paris shortly after the close of the Chicago opera season with her husband, where she will sing with the Metropolitan Opera Co.'s forces, who will give a season of opera in the French capital. Before her departure for Europe, however, she was busily employed at the Victor laboratory making a number of records in compliance with a desire to follow the great success her "Othello" records have had. Among the most interesting records issued this season is the one by Mme. Alda and Signor Caruso. Learn Spanish, French, German, or Italian * The I. C. S. System of Language Instruction by the phonograph method makes easy the mastering of a foreign language and appeals with compelling power to thousands. The dealer in phonographs that does not carry I. C. S. Language Outfits is neglecting a quick and sure way to increase his business. The new $35 Language Outfit of the I. C. S. is a marvel. It represents the highest art in the teaching of languages, and embodies a method that has won the warmest praise of thousands qualified to speak authoritatively. The Spanish, French, German, and Italian Embassies at Washington, as well as the leading colleges, have cordially indorsed the I. C. S. Method of teaching languages. The I. C. S. Language Outfit consists of an Edison Gem Phonograph made especially for language work; 14-inch brass horn; special hearing tube; recorder; reproducer; speaking tube; winding crank; camel's-hair brush; blank cylinders on which to make phonographic recitations; and 25 Conversational Records, teaching pronunciation guaranteed to be absolutely correct, with native intonation and inflection. In addition to these Conversational Records there are pamphlet Instruction Papers teaching the theory of languages. The new Outfit is the best and cheapest ever offered — the price being only S35. If you want to increase your business, write today for full particulars. International Correspondence Schools Box 918, Scranton, Pa.