The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1913)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 2 GRESHAM BUILDING, BASINGH ALL STREET E. C., LONDON, W. LIONEL STURDY, MANAGER. Unprecedented Activity in British Talking Machine Circles — Talking Machine Holding Prominent Place in Home Life — Flood of Cheap Records Increases Machine Sales — Winding Up Affairs of Russell Hunting Co. — Longest Record Ever Made — Paul H. Cromelin Resigns from Thomas A. Edison, Inc. — Holtzwessig Patent Again in Court — Composer Victor in Important Copyright Case — Who Introduced the First Edison Phonograph in England? — What is Offered in the New Record Lists — Arrangements Now Practically Completed for Big Combination — Attractive Publicity for "His Master's Voice" Records — New Columbia Artists — General News of the Month Worthy of Record. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) London, E. C, December 5. — It seems, as I write, somewhat early days to pass the compliments of the season, but this being the last chance I shall have of so doing before the festive time, it behooves me to accept the opportunity of wishing all those of my readers who have borne with my efforts during the past twelve months to offer an interesting news service from the world's capital, a right Merry Xmas, and all the good that they may wish themselves for the coming year. And now to the stormy realities of life — business. This is perhaps the time of year when all engaged in the talking machine industry justly expect to "make good," to borrow an expressive American colloquialism. Summer trade was pretty satisfactory, all things considered, but there is an all-theyear standard to maintain, and it is at this period that the law of average demands compensation. That being so, there can be no doubt that the trade as a whole has risen to the occasion right handsomely. During the whole of my experience I have never known such a state of activity as exists to-day. It is all a very significant and pleasing commentary upon the rapidly expanding influence of the talker in the home life of the community at large. Just as in the past no home was considered complete without a piano, so is the gramophone coming to be regarded in the same light. The worshippers at its shrine of inexhaustible and varied music increase amazingly in numbers; new converts announce themselves in the shops every day. As Father Confessor the average dealer is in his element, and it may be well imagined never more sympathetic than when there is a little sacrifice to be made on the altar — for the most part — of prejudice. New sales every day, and satisfied customers. And the experience is general. So much so in fact that in manufacturing quarters there is a difficulty in keeping the supply on a level with the demand. This happy condition of trade obtains everywhere, and the premises of the manufacturers, and factors upon whom I have called, are veritable hives of industry. In many cases factories are working on two shifts, night and day continuously, the staffs are putting forth their best efforts, and it is probable that all trade requirements for December will be satisfied. One of the most satisfactory features of this season's trade is the enormous demand for machines. The total output these days is estimated to average over 12,000 gramophones per week. From inquiries made I should think the number would reach nearer the 15,000 mark. They disappear as fast as they can be made, and as one manufacturer said to me: "It is astonishing, I can't understand where they all go to." Anyway this market is capable of absorbing all that can be made, and I do not think dealers will have much to complain of by the time the usual Christmas demand is over. Cheap Records Increase Machine Sales. This remarkable demand for machines is regarded with pleasurable surprise, but really the reason is not far to seek. In comparison with last year, the position to-day is altogether different. At that time there were few cheap records on the market, and they were in the majority of cases priced at eighteen pence. The circumstances of -comparison will be at once appreciated when I say that this season about a dozen good double-sided records are issued, not at eighteen pence, but at one shilling or thirteen pence ! Apart from the unprofitable nature of this trade, the fact remains it gives rise to much speculation as to its effect. Certainly the outstanding feature is that a very much wider public is brought within the realms of buyers, and the accentuated demand for machines is therefore attributable in the main to that cause. Analyzing the facts, I have come to the conclusion that the comparative main increase in machine trade is of the cheaper variety, though I am bound to say the sale of high-priced instruments is satisfactorily progressive. Winding Up Russell Hunting Co. Affairs. Information reaches me from the liquidator of the Russell Hunting Record Co. that he will apply to the Board of Trade for his release. A summary of the receipts and expenses during his administration and winding-up of the company reveals a total net realization of just over £1,707, from which has to be deducted £1,253 odd representing the total costs and charges. 17s. 834 d. in the £ on £513.18s. equals £454. 9s. 8d. to be allocated to the preferential creditors. The inability to pay^ any dividend to the ordinary unsecured creditors i s attributed to the small amount which could only be obtained by the receiver for the debenture holders, and to the failure of the action against the directors of the company for misfeasance and breach of trust. That is the purport of the liquidator's statement, which also intimates that, according to the statement of affairs, the assets were estimated to realize £7,686 ! The estimated and actual realization is amazingly divergent. If it were not too late to raise questions, we should certainly think it calls for some explanation. The Longest Record Ever Made. The longest playing record ever made has just been issued by the National Gramophone Co. Ltd. An unique feature of the "marathon" record is its V-shaped cut, which is said to combine the vertical and hill-and-dale principles. It is a fine-cut record, and remarkable though it seems, the walls between are said to be wider than the sound tracks. Twelve-inch disc No. 2042 carries four complete songs, as follows: "True till Death," 3 minutes 55 seconds; "In Cellar Cool," 4 minutes 30 seconds; "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep," 3 minutes 45 seconds; "Sheltered Vale," 4 minutes 15 seconds, STR0H VIOLS VIOLIN, VIOLA, ETC. The mellow and matured tone of these instruments, which are constructed largely of aluminum, yet possess none of the characteristics of the gramophone or wind instrument, is only one of its many points which are fully set out in an illustrated booklet which will be mailed free on request to String Fiddle the sole makers. GEO. EVANS &r*f\ 94 Albany St. V>V/» London, Eng. OR in U. S. A. to their sole representatives Oliver Ditson Co. 150 Tremont Street BOSTON NEW YORK and PHILADELPHIA Violin the total playing time thus occupied being 16 minutes 25 seconds. Tom Kinniburgh is the artist responsible, and certainly his marvellous voice has never been reproduced with such faithfulness of tone and timbre as hereon. Paul H. Cromelin Resigns. At the moment of dispatching this report I learn that Paul H. . Cromelin has resigned his position as British manager of the Thos. A. Edison Co. and his future plans have not been announced. Validity of the Holtzwessig Patent. The validity of the Holtzwessig patent has again been the subject of legal action in the German courts. Briefly, this patent is alleged to cover, all interior-horn machines, whether the sound is delivered through, under, or at the side of, the motor, and further, it is the property of the Gramophone Co. Its validity has been questioned more than once. The Pathe Co. attacked it and lost their case, the lower German court holding that the patent was a valid one. Thereupon an appeal was lodged against this decision, and it recently came on for hearing in the "Second" German court. The appeal was keenly contested by counsel for the Gramophone Co., and after considerable legal discussion and examination of documents, the court allowed the appeal, thus reversing the judgment given in the lower court. I now learn that it is the intention of the Gramophone Co. to carry the matter on appeal to the higher court for final judgment. And the matter is therefore in abeyance at the moment. It is interesting to know that Carl Lindstrom, A.G. issue all their hornless machines bearing a labeled statement to the effect that they are licensed under royalty of the Gramophone Co. Ltd. Other firms in this country also pay royalties, but on the other hand quite a number do not. The exact status of the patent is thus in considerable doubt in this country at any rate. Whether or not the Gramophone Co. intend to establish their claims to the validity of the patent here, we do not know. The dictates of time and circumstance will doubtless determine the position eventually. Important Copyright Judgment. The appeal of Lionel Monckton against the decision of Mr. Justice Phillimore, (partly) in favor of Messrs. Pathe Freres Ltd., was successful. The case was fully reported in our last issue, the court at the time reserving its judgment. The full pronouncement, which is extremely interesting, is as hereunder: Lord Justice Buckley, with whom Lord Justice Vaughan Williams agreed, said by virtue of section 21 (1) of the Coypright Act 1911, Mr. Monckton became entitled to copyright in his work, such copyright including the right to reproduce the work on gramophone records — section I (2D.) Making, and not selling, was what that section referred to. Section I (2) included the sole right to authorize the performance of the work. That seemed to show that section 2 was not confined to making, but stood for sale. These rights were qualified by other sections, but inasmuch as the work was to be published before the commencement of the Act, the provisions of section 19 (2) were qualified by section 19 (7A), and, if it be applicable by section 19 (7C). Under the last section sale was distinguished from making as mentioned in section 19 (2B and 3), and section 19 (7D). Importation was mentioned in section 11 (IE). From these difficult and complicated provisions was evolved this — section 19 (2) applied to any musical work, whether composed before or after the Act came into operation. But the provisions of that clause were modified and controlled by section 19 (7), which related to musical works published before the commencement of the Act. The result was so far as to this musical work the provisions in section 19 (2A'1 and the first proviso in that section did not apply, but the provisions under (B) did apply. There was an exception under (B), namely, that royalties were not to be payable when