The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

Metropolitan Trade Activities Talking Machine and Radio Distributors View Outlook With Unbounded Optimism Consensus of the Wide Variety of Expressions Given by the Members of the Wholesale MusicRadio Trade Is That Coming Year Will Be Profitable for Dealer of Quality Products Nineteen hundred and twenty-eight will be a prosperous year in talking machine and radio circles in the New York metropolitan territory, according to distributors of these products. A wide variety of expressions from wholesalers have been given The Talking Machine World, but, briefly summed up, it can be said that the distributors are agreed that 1928 will see the dealer in talking machine and radio products in an enviable and profitable position, provided he handles quality products and he merchandises aggressively. In retrospect, the opinions of the wholesalers hold that 1927 was a satisfactory year. While some felt that the maximum volume which might have been reached was not attained, the great majority expressed themselves as being satisfied. The following expressions of opinion by distributors in New York and its vicinity indicate the feeling of optimism with which the new year is being greeted: Paul Carlson, Chas. H. Ditson & Co. Nineteen hundred and twenty-eight will be a banner year for products of the Victor Talking Machine Co. and the talking machine business in general. The tremendous demand for electrically recorded records, particularly the complete Symphony Album sets, has been most gratifying during 1927 and we have reason to hope for an even greater demand during the coining year. With a catalog of twenty-five different types and styles to choose from, the Victor Co. offers the public a high-grade line of Orthophonic Victrolas and radio combinations, to say nothing of Electrolas, that will no doubt set a new mark in volume of sales for 1928. E. W. Guttenberger, Wholesale Division, Columbia Phonograph Co. In the Spring of 1927 I made the statement that the phonograph business was back on a firmer foundation than ever before in the history of our industry. Subsequent events have proved the soundness of that statement. Nineteen hundred and twenty-seven was a good phonograph year. Monthly totals mounted steadily and December showed the largest volume of any month since the hectic war period. We are entering 1928 with the fullest confidence and enthusiasm. No country on the globe can approach America in buying power, and what is equally important, the American public is awake to the marvelous quality of our new product. Nothing can stop us and I look for an enormous increase in 1928 sales that will make the large 1927 totals seem small. C. B. Mason, President New York Talking Machine Co. At the close of 1926, which was one of the most successful years in the history of the Victor Talking Machine Co., many people were skeptical as to the outcome and the possibilities for Victor business during 1927. Every one admitted that the year 1926 had been an unusual year in the Victor business, but it was the opinion of many that the success during that year in Victor business was due to a new product plus a wonderful publicity campaign, but that the whole thing was more or less a flash in the pan. There were many people, on the other hand, however, who realized that there would be spent in 1927 millions of dollars for musical entertainment and that the Victrola offered a type of musical entertainment that could be secured in no other way. Not all of the distributors and dealers who handle Victor products were optimistic enough for the future possibilities of the sale of Victor goods, but enough of them knew that they had a good product and that it could be sold, with the result that 1927 will be practically as good a year, from the standpoint of sales in the Victor industry, as 1926, in spite of the fact that general business was conceded to be of smaller volume in 1927 than the preceding year. The year 1927 has proved conclusively that the Victor business is a big and healthy business for the man who is willing to go after it. People who a year ago were still skeptical of its possibilities to-day are enthusiastic over the results of the business in 1927 and most optimistic as to its possibilities in 1928. To those who make the effort it is my firm belief that 1928 will be better than either 1927 or 1926. L. E. Hilduser, Distributing Division, Okeh Phonograph Corp. The New York Distributing Division of the Okeh Phonograph Corp. has been showing a very heavy increase in business from month to month; in fact, the last six months have been way ahead of comparative months in 1926. The public have accepted the Okeh-Odeon records as a desirable piece of merchandise and we are indeed pleased with the business we have done. As a matter of fact, it really can be called a revival of the public's interest in Okeh-Odeon records. Present indications will permit me to say that the year of 1928 should show us additional increased business, because of the excellence of the recordings and artists who are recording for us at the present time. In other words, I firmly believe that things are looking up in Okeh-Odeon records. The additions to our lines are Truetone portables and Vincennes phonographs, which also promote the further interest of the dealers. Sales in these items have been more than satisfactory and we are looking forward to doing a very splendid business with them in the coming year. E. B. Ingraham, Times Appliance Co. The interest of the public in radio has continued and strengthened during the past year. Better service in the way of better broadcast programs and better receiving equipment has stimulated this increased interest. The advent of the perfected AC and DC operated radio receiver has opened new possibilities in the radio business. The public have quickly learned the tremendous advantage these receivers possess and are discarding the older types of apparatus to buy these new sets. Our radio business during the past year has been exceptionally good because of this new development. The coming year holds promise of an even increased volume of business based on AC and DC operated receiving sets. I think the big obstacle which will come up during the coming year is the best method of disposing of sets taken in trade. Every dealer has already been confronted with this problem and a complete solution has yet to be found. Numerous sporting and political events of national importance which will be broadcast during the coming year are bound to influence the demand for all radio apparatus. If the numerous predictions for improvement in general business that have been made recently are realized, there is every reason to believe that radio business will be even better in 1928 than in the year 1927. Henry A. Deimel, McPhilben-Keator, Inc. McPhilben-Keator, Inc., has always believed that radio should be merchandised, so far as the distributor is concerned, in the same way as the automobile; in other words, that a distributor carry one line of sets only and build his accessories around this line. Our theory seems to have borne fruit during 1927, as we have had the most successful year in our history. Naturally our business is but a reflection of that of the dealers we serve, so that we are certain our dealers are prospering with us. For 1928 I look to see fewer manufacturers, and, as a natural concomitant, fewer dis(Continued on page 86) H Speakers have everything Sturdy ability to perform brilliantly always because of exclusive scientific features. Attractive beauty of design and finish. Full line of models in a range of prices to meet the needs of every buying prospect. Model A-27 UYz in. Seamless Burtex conoidal diaphragm — substantial sounding board — Jasper brown mahogany and bronze finish with "Golden Chime", Price $18.50 ft i. Made by the Pioneers in Cone Speakers STEVENS & COMPANY, Inc. 46-48 East Houston St., New York 84