The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

74 The Talking Machine World, New York, March, 1928 SYMBOL OF QUALITY Adaptable for Portables and Upright Machines hyrephonic Tone Arm No. 2 hyrephonic Junior Lyrephonic Products Will provide increased profits for 1928 Write for full details ANDREW P. FRANGIPANE & CO., Inc. Factory and offices: 261 Warren St., Lyndhurst, N. J. Western factory representative: Max Targ, 229 W. Randolph St., Chicago. 111. Kansas City Trade Reports Business Improving Throughout Territory Sterling Radio Co. Reports Heavy Demand for Kolsters — Brunswick Branch Holds a Sales Meeting — O. P. Harris From Chicago Headquarters Present at Meeting Kansas City, Mo., March 12. — Dealers and distributors are finding business conditions in talking machines and radios very satisfactory at this time, although there is no exceptional demand in any one line. However, the period since the first of the year has shown a nice increase over the same period last year in both phonograph and radio lines, and demand for records is better than it has ever been, according to the statements of trade leaders. The Sterling Radio Co. reports that it is still back-ordering Kolsters and is running from SO per cent to 75 per cent ahead of last year. During the past two weeks, according to C. M. Willis, sales manager, they have installed ten 6-M Kolsters, priced at $800, in theatres in this territory, where they are installed on the stage with an extra power cone and connected with two record tables, serving instead of an orchestra. The Zenith line is moving nicely with the Sterling Co. The Columbia line is going fine, according to Mr. Willis. During the past few months they have nearly doubled each month's volume over the month previous, and they are opening up many dealers. The Baldwin Music Co., McPherson, Kan;, is a new Columbia dealer. The Jones store radio department is having a fine radio business. The Atwater Kent 37, electrically operated, is the outstanding number at this time, and when they sell out of all samples they sell from the picture and fill the orders as fast as they come in. Kolster is active with the Jones store. Phonograph activity with Jones was normal during February, according to Miss J. M. Poynter, who reports good response to the Columbia-Kolster. The Kansas City branch of the BrunswickBalke-Collender Co. held a sales meeting for its representatives in this territory on February 10 and 11. O. P. Harris, special Chicago representative of the company, was in Kansas City for the meeting. The theme of the meeting was "more efficient service to the dealers from the point of view of selling." Mr. Harris covered Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma during the past three weeks, holding dealer meetings with all the Brunswick dealers in the Kansas City territory. T. H. Condon, of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender branch here, reports that they are showing a nice increase over last year and have been since the first of January. It is not a large increase, but it shows that the business is there. Mr. Condon says they can't keep a sufficient stock of portables on hand and states that he believes this is going to be a great portable year. A. A. Weisner, of Hays, and Mr. States, of the Palace Drug Co., of Dodge City, Kan., Brunswick dealers, recently visited the Kansas City branch and reported that the prospects for a good wheat crop in Kansas were fine. H. H. Dickson, of the record department of the Brunswick branch, says they are maintaining a nice increase over last year and expect an even greater increase since the dealers are beginning to realize the possibilities of Summer record business. O. D. Standke reports very good business during February. Radio activity continues brisk and portables are moving in fine volume. In his new store at 1210A Main street Mr. Standke has recently installed four new Victor electric demonstration machines, giving him nine of these machines, and he reports very satisfactory record business. Outlook Bright in Toledo Territory Demonstrations Win Sales for the Lion Store Music Rooms — News and Activities of the Month Toledo, O., March 9. — February among phonograph and radio retailers here was a good month — on the whole above a year ago. The Spring outlook is bright. Also the near future, on account of the improved industrial situation, shows much promise. The Lion Store Music Rooms & Radio Shop experienced a gratifying increase in sales during the past month and during early March. Lawson S. Talbert, manager, stated demonstrations in Maternity Hospital, Commodore Perry Hotel, El Pinto Soda Grill, Palmetto Restaurant, Upton Avenue Church resulted in two sales. A drive on Atwater Kent, Sparton and other electric sets resulted in putting over the largest radio day's business in the history of the department recently. Victor Herbert albums are moving briskly, nearly 200 of the sets being sold during the drive here. The J. W. Greene Co. created much favorable comment on the Automatic ElectrolaRadiola through a window display of the machine. The instrument was shown in action. The month closed with an increase of about 25 per cent. The house is constantly carrying on a plan of courtesy demonstrating. Recently an RCA 28 and a 104 loud speaker were used with excellent results in receiving the Walter Damrosch Friday morning music hour at Waite High School. Six hundred and twenty-four students attended the session. Jones and Glenwood School were favored with similar demonstrations. The result is that two school machines and two radios have been sold. T. M. Cook Co., until recently retailers of radio sets, are expanding. Recently the Victor talking machine line was added. The concern lately moved into the new State Theatre building on Collingwood avenue. Frank Flightner, Cherry street, Columbia dealer, on April 1 will move to 2134 Ashland avenue. The new location is a growing section of the west end of the city. The new Columbia-Kolster machine, Mr. Flightner reported, is making many friends. The United Music Store, according to H. L. Wasserman, proprietor, experienced a good Victor and Brunswick trade during the first months of the year. Victor Basil, manager of the radio section, reported increased demand for Sparton, Atwater Kent and Radiola sets. Grinnell Bros, are featuring six Victor models, ranging from $95 to $385, in March Melody, the store publication. The new Victor school machine is proving a favorite with educational institutions. Fred. N. Goosman, formerly head of the Goosman Piano Co., has joined forces with the house. Elmer Warner is now in charge of the small goods department of the store. The Whitney-Blaine-Wildermuth Co., in addition to the regular Victor and Brunswick sales effort, is featuring portables. Many of these machines are sold to people who live in small quarters. The Honest Quaker machine has been added. The Toledo Radio Co., Sparton jobber, according to Charles H. Womeldorff, president, has closed a greater volume the first two months of the year than was obtained the first six months of last year. Stanley Ball, vice president; E. A. Kopf and Mr. Womeldorff made a trip to the Sparton factory at Jackson the past week. Frederick Frederickson, representative of the Sparks-Withington Co., was in the city recently calling on retailers. The Frazelle Piano Co. has started a Spring Victor and radio drive. . Outside salesmen are soliciting in the city and nearby communities. Atwater Kent and Zenith radios are featured. The Roberts-Toledo Co., retailer of Bosch and other radio sets, has moved into new quarters at Jackson and Adams streets. Stanley Roberts, head of the concern, stated an active sales campaign will be launched shortly. Union Music Co., retailer of small goods, recently added the Sonora portable to its line.