The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

Janu.\ey 15, 1919 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 39 AI Jolson's newest, biggest, "Sinbad" hit, I Wonder Wliy Slie Kept on Saying Si-Si-Si Senor''— Columbia February Record No. A-2671. Be sure you order enough! Columbia Graphophone Co. NEW YORK DECKS CLEARED FOR THE NEW YEAR IN PITTSBURGH Available Stocks Wiped Out by Holiday Business and Jobbers and Retailers Are Preparing for a Lively Future — Various Changes Reported in the Local Trade Pittsburgh, Pa., January 5. — Unprecedented conditions prevailed in the talking machine field in this city during the holiday season just closed, for never before was there such an insistent demand for talking machines and phonographs of all the leading makes and popular styles. Retailers, as well as jobbing houses, were practically sold out before Christmas Eve, not only machines but in the more popular records, for the latter seemed to enjoy unusual favor as Christmas gifts. Gift certificates for records were used with great success, and served to stimulate business greatly. Naturally the trade is in an optimistic mood regarding the future, the general attitude being reflected in the opinion of A. B. Smith, manager of the Columbia branch here, who gave it as his belief that 1919 was destined to be "one of the greatest years in the history of the talking machine trade," due to the return of the soldiers from overseas and the readjustment of business generally. The C. C. Mellor Co., Victor distributors, reported all sold out a week before Christmas, and were then making sales contingent upon the arrival of new shipments of Victrolas. The Victrola Department of McCreery & Co., under the management of A. N. Ansell, had only three Victrolas on hand the day after Christmas and they were awaiting shipping orders. Although A. R. Meyer, manager of the talking machine department of Joseph Horne & Co., supplemented his Victrola stock with a complete line of Columbia Grafonolas and records, there were not sufficient goods to supply the holiday demand. H. J. Brennen, manager of the Pittsburgh Pathephone Co., stated that he was highly pleased with the 1918 business record, which he said indicated in a "most unmistakable" manner that the Pathe had come to stay in Pittsburgh and that the outlook for 1919 was exceedingly bright. Mr. Brennen stated that the Pittsburgh Pathephone Co. was well fortified for the Christmas sale and that the foresight of the company in placing several carloads of Pathe machines and Pathe records in stock was justified in view of the big sales that were made during the holiday season. The Buehn Phonograph Co., Edison jobbers, through A. A. Buehn, general manager, stated that in view of general conditions 1918 had NICHOLSON Talking Machine RECORD CABINETS the kind that talk VALUES and SALES K. NICHOLSON FURNITURE CO.,"fe"/^ Record Cabinets, Sect, Bookcases and Ladies' Desks proved a most satisfactory year, with more orders for Edison goods than could be handled. The annual dinner and theatre party of the Buehn Phonograph Co. staff of employes was held on Saturday evening, December 28. The dinner was held at the Fort Pitt Hotel, at which Manager A. A. Buehn was the toastmaster. He made a brief talk appreciative of the loyalty and efficiency of his co-workers in "boosting" the Edison in the Pittsburgh district. Following the dmner the vaudeville show at the Davis theatre was enjoyed by the party. Gray & Martin, Sonora distributors, reported a very satisfactory year although they were compelled to take many delayed orders for Sonoras, due to the shortage that existed just before the holidays. It is hinted that the firm, who are handicapped in their present quarters, are likely to branch out on an extensive scale shortly and may embark in the sale of pianos and playerpianos in a new location. The latest phonograph to make its bow into Pittsburgh is the Brooks Automatic Repeating Phonograph, which is now established at 3009 Jenkins Arcade, where the sales and demonstration rooms are located. The sales agent is Newton B. Heims, who was formerly connected with the Victrola department of the W. F. Frederick Co. With the advent of the New Year a change has been made in the Victrola department of the W. F. Frederick Co. by which the entire retail trade will be under the personal direction of E. B. Heyser, general manager of the company. The Victrola department itself will be directed by G. W. Watkins, while Harry Buck will have charge of the sales of Victor records. George S. Hards, who for the past eight years has been in charge of the Frederick Co. Victrola department, is to retire, effective January 15. Mr. Hards opened the original Victrola department for the Frederick Co. and was a potent factor in placing the retail department on the high plane that it exists today. George H. Rewbrid, manager of the wholesale department of the Frederick Co., stated that the trade was very satisfactory considering the lack of stock. J. C. Roush, president of the Standard Talking Machine Co., Victor distributors, was called to New York by the death of his brother, L. L. Roush, who was well known as a portrait artist. His death occurred December 19. Mr. Roush has left for Seabreeze, Florida, where he will spend the remainder of the winter. French Nestor, of the Standard Talking Machine Co., was bereaved by the passing away of his brother, Frederick Nestor, at Parsons, West Virginia, shortly before the holidays. E. C. Rauth and H. G, Koerber, of St. Louis, Mo., well known to the Victor trade, were Pittsbingh visitors on their way east to Camden, N. J., and New York. The Dauler & Close Furniture Co. reported an exceptionally busy season on the sale of Cheney phonographs. Mr. Close stated that the higher priced Cheney phonographs were in strong demand and that the last machine in the wareroom which was sold on Christmas eve was eagerly striven for by at least six prospective customers. The sale was made to a home where a soldier boy was to be on a Christmas furlough. J. A. Endres, sales manager of the Brunswick phonograph, in the Pittsburgh district, was enthusiastic concerning the excellent record made by his department during the year that has just closed. He said: "We are very proud of the accomplishment made in the Pittsburgh district in the sales of the Brunswick and I am more than confident that with the passing of wartime conditions there will be an abundance of Brunswick Phonographs and that the sales for 1919 will be record breaking." In a recent issue of The World it was stated that the Victrola department of Kaufmann's, "The Big Store," was under the supervision of E. F. Harwood, with Mrs. C. H. Walrath in direct charge. Mrs. Walrath advises us that she has been in entire charge of the department as buyer and manager for the past fifteen months, and is likewise in charge of all collections for the piano and Victrola departments. The Joseph Horne Co. had a splendid Victrola exhibit, which their display manager, C. F. Goettman, conceived to show off gowns for children, some furniture, but principally the handsome Victrola. The Children's Party was the theme and the kiddies were in party dress while the little hostess turned the crank of the Victrola. The Victrola came from the department of A. R. Meyer, who has splendid display rooms on the balcony at this large Pittsburgh department store. Corporal George B. Davis, who prior to his enlistment in the army was shipper in the wholesale Victrola department of the W. F. Frederick Piano Co., this city, made the supreme sacrifice in France, passing away from mustard-gas wounds. Corporal Davis was twenty-three years of age and was well known to the retail talking machine trade of Pittsburgh and vicinity. He died September 27 last. He was connected with the One Hundred and Third Field Signal Battalion. He had been on the front in active service for forty days when he was fatally hurt. STEEL NEEDLES MADElIN U.S.A. Highest Grade LOUD— MEDIUM— SOFT Immediate Delivery No order too small BURLEY & BIESENGER 282 W. FERRY ST., BUFFALO, N. Y.