The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

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January 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 35 ATLANTA TALKING MACHINE TRADE READY FOR FUTURE OTHIJIJ^ After an Unusual Volume of Holiday Business the Various Concerns Are Planning to Secure Full Benefits From 1919 Prosperity — Some Interesting Business Reports Made Atlanta^ Ga., January 8. — Trade conditions in this city during December were exceedingly fine. Despite the shortage of talking machines, which has been apparent for some time, there was such an opportunity afforded to sell anything and everything that had the appearance of a phonograph, any price, any style, any make and any finish, that the business done was "easy money." The Haverty Furniture Co., one of the largest Columbia dealers in the South, who also sell the Pathephone, say that their December business was in all respects as large and satisfactory as theyhad expected. They were fortunate, owing to their great purchasing power, and the keen insight of their executives, in having placed orders early in the year, which gave them a reserve stock to sell in December, and to use the words of Mr. Wilson, manager of the Grafonola department, they "mopped up." Reports from the Haverty chain of stores in Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, South Carolina and many Georgia cities are all to the effect that they sold to the limit of their ability to supply during December. The Delpheon Shop, Arcade Building, Mr. Sunderland, manager, who sell the Columbia and the Delpheon, are quoted as saying that they are exceedingly gratified with their December business, it being far larger than last year, and that in the face of more difficulty in getting stock. This is explained by the fact that their record sales have increased wonderfully, and this increase helped to make the total volume of sales larger. An innovation was "pulled" by Mr. Sunderland on Christmas Eve, when he secured a singer, placed a Grafonola in the front of his shop, secured a supply of the Columbia record, "Rose of No Man's Land," and sold the first hundred of the records in an hour. He says it was the brightest spot in the holiday business. The Cable Piano Co., the largest Victor dealers in the South, were agreeably surprised when they received a shipment of the $275 model Victrolas just before Christmas, and they therefore had a substantial offering for some of their many eager customers. The big store, so Mr. Salter, manager of the Victrola department, says, has been crowded all during December, and they had a very gratifying volume of sales. With the prospects of the Victor Co. being much better able to supply the exceedingly active demand for Victrolas early in the year, they expect a record business in 1919. I. M. & R. D. Bame, Victor and Sonora dealers, have been as busy as possible all during the past month, and by very careful management they were able to place in the hands of those whom they really preferred as customers almost what they wanted as to style, make and price. The Zaban Furniture Co., Columbia dealers exclusively, report a large December business, with more cash, larger record sales, and heavier first payments than ever before. This concern has only been open about a year and the volume of their business is now equal to that of some dealers who have been in business for two to three years. This indicates fine management and intelligent selling methods. The firm members express themselves as being entirely pleased and satisfied with their year's business and with the Columbia line. The Chamberlin-Johnson-DuBose Co., with Edward Brotherton in charge of their talking machine department, are well pleased with the holiday business, and particularly so with the inci ease in the total sales of 1918 over 1917. Mr. Brotherton, who is one of the most experienced phonograph managers in the South, took charge with them about si-x months since, and they have grown and increased every month since. This old and representative house sell the Victrola and Sonora, and also the Emerson record. The Atlanta Talking Machine Co., of whom it was written in these columns last month that they had changed hands and were looking to largely increase their business, have enjoyed a wonderful holiday trade. They had on hand when December opened quite a large stock of Aeolian-Vocalions, and with these and such Grafonolas as they could get they had practically enough to meet the demand. They are the oldest Columbia dealers in Atlanta, also were the first Vocalion dealers in the Southern States, and one of the first ten or twelve in the United States, it being a matter of record that the first Aeolian-Vocalion ever sold south of the Potomac River was retailed by this company in this city. In common with all talking machine dealers they anticipate a great business in 1919. Phonographs, Inc., and the Diamond Disc Shop, ^the first being the Edison jobber, also conducting a retail store, and the second retailers across town, received just before Christmas a solid car of the "New Edisons." It is needless to say that this brought "joy to their souls," and they were disposed of to the very last instrument as rapidly as they were placed on sale. The "New Edison" and the Edison records are continuing an ever-increasing volume of business locally, and the local jobber is adding new dealers as fast as they can be supplied. The Phillips & Crew Piano Co., Victor jobbers, have had an enormous trade which it has been difficult to fill as fully as they would like, owing to the scarcity of Victor goods. Now that the war is at an end they are quite pleased o\er the outlook for 1919. The Columbia Graphophone Co., through Westervelt Terhune, manager of the local branch, have just completed the largest year's business in the history of the company, and he expects a very much larger business in 1919 than in 1918. All of the selling force traveling out of Atlanta were much pleased with their year's sales, and really feel that in addition to the actual business obtained they made many warm and loyal friends for Columbia in 1918. Elyea-Austell Co., through Mr. Upshaw, in charge of the Victrola jobbing department, who have the State of Georgia, have simply been "hands up" all during the past year. It was not a question of selling such Victrolas as they could get to their retail friends — it was to fight to keep them from being taken away from them, even before the stock actually reached the wholesale warehouse, so eager were dealers for Victrolas. All things considered, they had a wonderful year, and in 1919 expect to do better. MAGNET DECALCOMANIE NAMEPIATES SOLD BY HURTEAU.WILUAMS&CO'I • MONTREAL OTTAWA . FOR TALKING MACHINE CABINETS Ek Pamphlets with fac-simile illustrations and prices mailed on request. SMITH-SCHIFFLIN CO. 126 Liberty Street New York City S®E,Ei ESIf I Oldest Music House VA^»"d N C '\ EfflCgEIKlOKIID.m. I saus Err < Scolford Qbnearm and Superior Universal RejDroducer Cfhe Ideal Combination Plays Jill JTlakes of Records as ihey should be played Price of Sample Prepaid nickel, §6.25 Qold, $7.75 Jldjusled for Cabinet measuring 8H inches from center of Tonearm base to center of Turntable shaft I DisUtictive Features CThe Reproducer piuots on its axis ( as illustrated above), taking the correct angle for all makes of records, and the needle retains same center in both positions. Surface noise is less than with any other reproducer — surface scratchings being reduced to a minimum through perfect proportioning of the stylus construction, and placing the needle in the center of the groove at the correct angle. CThe split construction of the frame and face ring of the Reproducer, together luith the method of pivoting the stylus bar, and perfect insulation — effect a sensitive and free vibration — and prevent a pinched tone resulting at antj time from natural contraction or expansion of the metal parts. The reproduction is the mellou?. natural quality of tone — absolutely getting aivay from the usual sharpness and metallic effect so noticeable in most reproducers. Sound ujaves act upon the same principle as light ujaves' — they travel in a straight line until they meet some obstruction, from ivhich they are deflected at right angles. cfKe right angle him at the back of the Scotford Tonearm causes less breaking up and confusion of the sound maves than occurs in the curved arm. CThe connection betujeen the Reproducer and Tonearm is perfectly insulated ujith a hard rubber bushing. Inside diameter of the Tonearm is correct to accommodate the volume obtained from the latest records. CThe right-side turn for changing needle is handier than the old style turn-back, and ujhen in position for the Hill-and-Dale records there is no interference with lowering the cabinet cover. CThe lateral movement at the base is simple, free and permanently satisfactory. Inside there is no obstruction to interfere with passage of the sound waves. There are no loose balls in the bearings, therefore no buzzing noise can occur from the great vibration on high notes. Barnharl Brothers & Spindler TTlonroe and CThroop Slreels— CKicaqo nniniiiiMDDiEOQiEin