The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

January 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 11 Stracciari— and the "Long, Long TraiL" A wonderful combination of grand opera star and popular song, with a powerful double selling appeaL Columbia Graphophone Co. NEW YORK HOLIDAY BUSINESS RECORDS SHATTERED IN INDIANAPOLIS attractive victrola rooms Trade Enthusiastic About Quality of Sales Made of Machines and Records — Indianap in December — New Year Opens With Big Sales olis Will Be Big Market. During 1919 Each of the Twenty Demonstration Booths in New Stores of Geo. S. Dales, Akron, O., Dedicated to Some Prominent Record Artists Indianapolis, Ind., January 6. — All previous hoh'day business records were shattered with the closing of 1918, the local retail and wholesale talking machine dealers report. Not only had the business been brisk since October, but the last minute rush of Christmas' buyers foun;! the local retail dealers selling their machines without time for demonstrations in many instances. What the dealers regard as a most encouraging and significant sign is that the sale of machines and records since Christmas has been good. No doubt is expressed as to the opinion that 1919 will prove a big year. H. E. Whitman, manager of the talking machine department of the Pearson Piano Co., said that the holiday business came not only from the wage earning class, but from the wealthier classes, which previously had been holding back oi; the purchases pending the development of the war situation. A large number of the higher-priced machines were sold and the total business is far ahead of the holiday record of 1917. The Edison Shop sold out entirely in two sti'les and showed an increase of 200 per cent, in its cash business alone, A. H. Snyder, manager, reported. Business has been coming back briskly since Christmas, and the record business necessitated the doubling of the counter space. J. L. Peter, manager of the Columbia store, said that the season was the most wonderful one he had ever experienced in the business, and remarked tliat he had had a 400 per cent, increase over December of 1917. C. P. Herdman, manager of the talking machine department of the Baldwin Piano Co., pointed out that the business in the Columbia machines was at least 100 per cent, better than in December of last year, while the stock of Windsor machines was entirely sold out. R. B. Goldsberry, manager of the talking machine department of the Mooney-Mueller Co., Pathe jobbers, has been filling orders as fast as he could get the goods from the factory. The art models went big, Mr. Goldsberry said. He estimated an increase of 100 per cent, over last year for the holiday business. The Stewart Talking Machine Co. have been making every effort to get as many machines as possible to the dealers. They have been running full-page advertisements telling the public how the Victrola "went to war" and explaining the reason the Victor dealers were not able to supply the demand this year. Harry Diehl, formerly retail manager for the company, who is now a sergeant in the army, and Harry Ray, also in the army, who formerly was manager of the talking machine department of the Pettis Dry Goods Co., visited the offices recently. Ben Brown, manager of the Columbia wholesale department, said that the demand for machines and records keeps growimg in spite of the Christmas onslaught. Ben .Loventhal, pro prietor of the Grafonola store at Louisville, Ky., came to Indianapolis last week and took 1,200 records back with him as baggage. F. F. Dawson, manager of the Columbia branch in Cincinnati, was also a visitor. The talking machine department of Silverstein Bros., Terre Haute, Ind., did a fine business in Columbia machines and records. This is one of the new big accounts opened by the local branch several months ago. VV. E. Pearce, manager of the talking machine department of the Brunswick-Balke-CoUender branch, is expecting a big year for the Brunswick. At the Brunswick Shop the Christmas business practically cleaned out the store, and George F. Standke, manager, took a hurry-up trip to Chicago to see if he could get a rush order through to take care of the business after Christmas. E. R. Eskew, manager of the Pathe Shop, said that business is coming right back in great form after the Christmas rush. Thg Fuller-Ryde Music Co. were well prepared to handle their increased business in Victrolas this year, as they had rearranged their store and built several booths. The store now rivals any of the up-to-date talking machine stores in appeara'nce, and the proprietors are more than pleased with the change. Akron, O., January 3. — George S. Dales recently opened a large and most attrai^ive Victrola parlor at 128 Main street, this city, with many original features incorporated therein. In addition to sales and reception rooms ^nd three concert halls, there are twenty demonstration booths, each booth decorated 'in a distinctive manner and dedicated to sorrie promirient Victor artist, such as Caruso, Farrar, Melba^ Lauder, etc. The decorations are designed to indicate some distinctive characteristic of the artist or of the artist's work. The furnishings, including tapestries, carpets and furniture, are rich and elaborate. The floor of the main lobby is polished for dancing and it is the intention of'the proprietor to allow private parties to ^^ake arrangements for its use. This will also include societies and lodges. A section of the lobby is specially arranged for those wishing to make engagements with theit: friends and daily concerts, vocal and instrumental, are given. George S. Dale carries a complete stock of records and has proven himself one of the most progressive talking machine dealers in the country. Souvenir booklets outlining the history of the store and illustrated with many) photographs were given to callers on opening day. VEECO £i^£™£ MOTORS ARE DURABLE 3n Witness artiereaf: A customer writes: "We have been using this motor in our factory for the past year continuously, at least four or five hours a day steady, and have never had any trouble with same." Doesn't that indicate durability ? The improved VEECO electric motor is designed primarily and exclusively for Talking Machines, it is smooth and noiseless in action and practically fool-proof. Standard models run on any voltage from 100-125, A. C. or D. C, without adjustment. Other models for any voltage from 6-250. Furnished mounted on 12 or 12^ inch mahogany board ready to install, or without board, all ready to mount on such board as used by the manufacturer. With the VITRALOID turntable, supplied with the motor, it makes a complete motor unit for high class machines. ORDER NOW FOR 1919 DELIVERIES THE VEECO COMPANY ^oUt maIs* THE ORIGINAL PRODUCERS OF A COMPLETE ELECTRIC DRIVE FOR TALKING MACHINE MANUFACTURERS' USE ft t ■