The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

70 The Talking Machine World, New York, January, 1928 Below Zero Weather and Snow Fails to Cool Optimism of Twin Cities Dealers Interest in New Panatrope Combination Is Marked — H. L. Davies Now Covering Choice Territory— Advertising Campaigns on Phonographs and Radio Featured Month Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., January 9. — -The Northwest is under some few feet of snow and the thermometer hovers below zero, but prospects are warming. The prognosticators are of one mind, that though Winter has come and with a vengeance, Spring cannot be far away and all is well for 1928. The wonderful increase over 1926 that the Brunswick books showed in November was continued to and through December. The record business was excellent. S. C. Schulz, manager of the Brunswick offices, is highly pleased over the response made since record prices were reduced. Keen interest is felt in the debut of the new model Panatrope combination. A trifle larger than the former consolette type, it is a very compact instrument. The Eddie Dunstedder records continue immensely popular, nationally as well as locally. Real compliments have come from dealers not handling Brunswick records, who praise the organ recordings most highly. Two new Dunstedder records will be ready early in the new year. There has been an unusual sale on the Nick Lucas records. Mrs. Eggers, who has been the head of the Minneapolis office of the Consolidated Talking Machine Co., is kept busy by the added duties of the Detroit business and spends her time between the two. H. L. Davies, who has been connected with the Minneapolis branch of the Brunswick-BalkeCollender Co. since 1920 and has traveled into every territory covered by the branch, is now covering the city where the branch is located, and is winning as many friends among the Minneapolis dealers as he did through the State. This appointment is a part of the prog ress program inaugurated by Selman Schulz since his transfer from the Chicago Loop territory to district managership of the Brunswick Minneapolis branch. Mr. Schulz is surround H. L. Davies ing himself with a competent and efficient organization, and since he has taken over the reins the Brunswick situation has seen a decided improvement in Minneapolis. A. L. Toepel, sales manager of the Lawrence Lucker Sales Co., has had no chance to loaf in the usually quiet week from Christmas to New Year's. The holiday business, which exceeded all expectations, continues at the same tempo. A commentary on" the desirability of the Lucker lines is the number of requests for dealer appointments. The Kellogg, Sparton and Crosley sets, of all types, were in such demand that the shipping room was continually hard pressed. Tremendous interest has been aroused by the striking advertising campaign on AC sets. Not only has the dealer's interest been aroused, but his confidence increased a thousandfold, Mr. Toepel believes. With that confidence justified, especially in the Kellogg, Crosley and Sparton lines, 1928 should be a splendid year for the Lucker Co. An atmosphere of well-being pervades the Kern-O'Neill Co., Columbia headquarters. Everyone seems to be personally gratified by the fine holiday business, the success of the Columbia-Kolster lines and the phenomenal record business. Full-page Columbia advertising and splendid tie-ups by local dealers appeared in the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Duluth papers during December. The Golden Rule, one of St. Paul's largest stores, has restricted the phonograph lines to Columbia and Victor. Herbert Peterson, who started as a boy for the former Beckwith-O'Neill Co., is now catering southern Minnesota and the Dakotas for the Kern-O'Neill Co. W. H. Dickson, credit manager and a director of W. J. Dyer &' Bro., of St. Paul, died just before Christmas. K. E. Stommell, for some time with the Cable Piano Co., of Minneapolis, is now manager of the company's St. Paul store. The Belmont Corp. is the name of the company jobbing the new line of Sonora instruments. George A. Michel is president, Clarence B. Michel is vice-president and Henry J. Michel secretary. The personnel of the force includes Lloyd L. Copley, covering the Montana territory; Leonard Van Holde, North Dakota; Charles Milligan, South Dakota; D. L. Cary, M. S. Hezzerwood and Herbert K. Arnold in the Twin Cities district. R. A. Roberts, who was formerly secretary of the Rockford, 111 inois, Radio Trade Association is in charge of the St. Paul business. The Majestic Music Shop is once again in its old quarters at 16 South Eighth street. The store has been completely remodeled to give the effect of the exterior of a Spanish town. Columbia, Victor and Brunswick records and Crosley and Kolster radio receiving sets are handled. The Cammack Piano Co. is in the midst of a removal sale and D. Westley, of the company, reports a splendid Christmas business in Federal, Mohawk, Apex, Atwater Kent and Radiola radio lines. The Hausner Music Co., which has been operating three stores in the Twin Cities, is now consolidating the two Minneapolis stores and will occupy the entire space at 35 South Eighth street. The new Hausner store will have a big opening when the clubrooms for professional musicians and the rehearsal rooms will be opened to the public. Mr. Hausner will specialize more than ever on band instruments. Vocalion Race Record Demand Is Phenomenal Jack Kapp, manager of the Vocalion record department of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., personally unearthed the biggest selling record in the history of that company. "Jim Jackson's Kansas City Blues." The most phenomenal part of this sale is that there is no particular territorial demand, as the orders are rolling in from all parts of the country. The indications of its possibilities are evidenced in the sales of the Watson Co. of Memphis, which sold 10,000 records in ten days. No. 768-16. With panel cut for Radiola 16. Height 37 inches. Width 29^ inches. Depth 17 inches. Walnut veneered. Finished in antique walnut. Handpainted ornaments. The J^-inch sliding wood panel is 9 inches by 24 inches inside. Battery compartment 26l/z inches wide, 11 inches high, 15J4 inches deep. Average weight crated 98 pounds. Radio Cabinets By UDELL A beautiful new 32-page catalog illustrating and describing the greatest line of Radio Cabinets in the country is ready. Write for your copy today THE UDELL WORKS 28th St. at Barnes Ave. Indianapolis, Ind.