The talking machine world (July-Dec 1924)

194 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD November 15, 1924 General Prosperity in the New Orleans Territory Reflected in Good Business Decided Improvement in Business During Last Month Leads to Expectation of Busy Holiday Season — Maison Blanche Opens Radio Department — Plan Erection of Broadcasting Station New Orleans, La., November 7. — Nothing but satisfaction is expressed by the talking machine dealers in this territo^ as regards the business accomplished during the past month. With general business conditions favorable, the demand for both instruments and records has been up to par, and there is every reason to believe that the check-up for November and December will surpass the sales totals for October by a good margin. Promising Outlook for Philip Werlein, Ltd. John A. Hofheinz, manager of Philip Werlein, Ltd., Victor wholesaler, in commenting on the condition of the .trade at the present time, states: "Business has shown a decided improvement in the past thirty days and we have every reason to believe that -we will have a normal Fall and Winter business with good sales prevailing well into Spring. True, there have been some crop failures in certain sections, but as a whole cotton is showing up splendidly and good prices are prevailing. Thousands of dollars are being spent in construction work which takes in new homes and business edifices and also includes many miles of road building, thus stimulating payrolls. In certain parts of Louisiana new oil fields have been discovered, adding to prosperity and enlarging the purchasing power of the public for the talking machines. "Record demand is on the increase and with the concert season opening throughout this entire territory, with some of the world's best artists appearing, dealers are certain to do an excellent business in the better class of records." Good Outing Demand Continues The Junius Hart Piano Co., local representative for the Outing Talking Machine Co., reports that the Outing portable continues to meet with popular favor and there has been no diminution in the public demand for this instru ment. Dealers had evidently expected a fallingoff in the demand for the Outing as many orders are received by phone, indicating that the dealers have allowed their stocks to run out, and rush orders are becoming common. Ahead of Same Season a Year Ago The L. Grunewald Co., Inc., is enjoying a brisk business in both talking machines and records with the totals of each branch for the month ahead of last year and with the prospects of a continued good business exceptionally bright. Radio sets are also finding a ready market. This store carries the Radiola and FreedEisemann lines. , Opens Radio Department The Alaison Blanche recently opened a radio department carrying the R.C.A. line, AtwaterKent, Brunswick-Radiola, Magnavox and other leading makes. The department will be managed by J. D. Moore who also supervises the music department, which adjoins the radio display rooms. Mr. Moore is planning several features in connection with the new department. Plans to Add Radio Richard W. Ortte, 310 Magazine street, is most optimistic over the prospects of a continued good business, basing his opinion on the excellent business done during the past few months in both talking machines and records. Mr. Ortte contemplates adding a radio department in the very near future. Broadcasting Station to Be Erected A survey of atmospheric conditions is being made by engineers of the Western Electric Co. and the A. T. & T. Co., preparatory to the erection of a large broadcasting station in the Maison Blanche Co. building. The new station, which will be one of the largest in the South, will be operated by the Maison Blanche Co. and the Saenger Amusement Co., which operates theatres throughout the South. The opening of this station will undoubtedly stimulate the sale of radio sets, as the resources of the Saenger Co. will assure excellent programs. Factory Is Rushed to Meet Philco Battery Demand Philadelphia, Pa., November 6.— The Philadelphia Storage Battery Co., of this city, is receiving an exceptionally large share of the radio battery business in this country. This is particularly true in the talking machine field, to which the company has particularly catered. Long before the advent of radio Philco batteries were well known from coast to coast. To meet the demands of radio the Philadelphia Storage Battery Co. has produced an efficient and particularly attractive "A" storage battery enclosed in a glass case. The increasing use of the storage batteries has led this company to produce a type of "B" battery that is fit to be placed in the music or living room of any residence. These "B" batteries are attractively encased in mahogany, with a piano finish. In both the "A" and "B" batteries ascending and lowering balls are used, which indicate at a glance whether the battery needs recharging or not, and do away with testing by means of a hydrometer. The demand for the Philco line has resulted in capacity operation at the factory of the company. Luckey-Platt Open New Store Poughkeepsle, N. Y., November 11. — The monster new store of Luckey, Piatt & Co. will be formally opened with appropriate ceremonies on Monday, November 17. This new establishment is the result of a growth of more than fifty-five years. It contains four and a half acres of floor space and is made up of forty-five departments, of which the phonograph department is an important one. A radio department, carrying a complete line of all leading makes of receiving sets, will be a feature of the new store. How Quality Created a Wide Prestige for the Artistic DuoVox Line When, some years ago, the Bush & Lane Piano Co., of Holland, Mich., engaged in the talking machine business, a wave of interest flashed through the trade, as the company's record in the manufacture of high-grade pianos with its many features, including its specialmade tone chamber and the Duo-Vox feature consisting of the two reproducers, one for hill and dale and the other for lateral cut records. While the two upright models still retained presaged architectural and tonal accomplishments in any line of musical instruments which it might decide to produce. The line of upright models which were put on the market more than justified the expectations entertained for them and the progress was rapid, leading up to the beautiful Duo-Vox of to-day, AUTOMATIC LID SUPPORT Finished in Nickel and Gold Samples on request ( * r»< V 1 Patrntcd Dre. D. 1010: Oct. 25. 1021; Not. 1. 1922. Canada Applied. The Most Dependable Lid Support on the Market Star Machine & Novelty Co^'UKSfflfcT" are suggestive of the first models put out, a proof of the designers' foresightedness and wisdom, the dominant numbers of the line are now of the console type and are marked by the artistic distinctiveness which characterizes everything emanating from the Bush & Lane plant. The recently added radio combination models are in every way up to the Bush & Lane standard. A word regarding the plant in which the DuoVox is made may be of interest. It was originally organized for making the very finest pianos and player-pianos. It is built along the most modern lines and later there was added a new block of buildings of the 1 same construction, in which the Duo-Vox department is located. Walter Lane, the president and general superintendent of the plant, has been known for years as a very fine piano maker and designer, exceptionally good on case work, beautiful veneers and fine finishing of all sorts. His skill has been strikingly evidenced in t he production of the DuoYox and surrounding himself from the first with a corps of experts capable of carrying out his plans for the ideal of the instrument of which he dreamed. The Duo-Vox is produced in an environment of finest musical tradition and all the mechanical equipment and skill for making the finest and most artistic product. COTTON FLOCKS . FOR. Record Manufacturing THE PECKHAM MFG. CO., jf^Tj. O T O R S Ready for Delivery Double Springs; play two 10-inch Records; suitable for Portable Phonographs. Sample, $3.75. Larger motor playing two to three 12-inch Records; suitable for Phonograph selling for $100. Sample, $5.75. MERMOD & CO., 16EVtY23dSt Telephone Aahland 7395