The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

sx*mec3rade cHBADELPtlA and 19CALI77 Demand for Combinations and AC Receivers Continues in Philadelphia Public's Interest in Higher-Priced Merchandise Regarded as Forerunner of Spring Demand— Local Dealers Win Prizes in Victor Contests Philadelphia, Pa., March 9. — Though the usual February reaction was a factor that kept the dealers in quieter channels insofar as talking machines were concerned there nevertheless was a brighter spot to business in the continued demand for records and for the newer types of AC radios and combinations which have become the "best sellers" of the industry since the first of the year. Larger manufacturers of talking machines are gratified at the more lively interest shown in the various types of combinations and look upon this spurt of activity as a forerunner of improvements this Spring. Dealers who have been alert to sales promotion features and tie-ups with entertainments that have appeared here within the month were able to keep the customary duller February days in activity and profitable business by the special attention given to exploitation and window displays that brought recordings of artists appearing here into prominence. Demand for the electrically operated radios kept pace with the ability of the dealers to secure goods. The only bar to business in these sets was the lack of sufficient goods to meet the needs of the trade. Jobbers were kept busy sending out shipments from the factory almost as soon as they arrived in the warerooms so that stocks were kept at a minimum and there are waiting lists of considerable length for future deliveries from the manufacturers. Local Sales People Win Awards Of special interest to the dealers during the month was the awarding of prizes for the S. R. O. Contest held by the Victor Talking Machine Co. a few months ago. Miss Marian Mills, head of the record department of the Chestnut street store of the J. Ralph Wilson chain, won the $75 award for her essay, "How to Sell Victor Red Seal Records." Miss Florence Kendle, her associate in the record sales department, won the $50 prize, while James Stafford, of the Germantown avenue store of the Wilson Co., received the $75 award for his essay on the same topic and two $10 prizes for window displays. J. Fischer of the Broad street store of the Wilson Co., won $25 for his window display. Victor Dealers Feature Album Sets Dealers who tied up the exploitation of the album containing the Victor Herbert selections compiled by the Victor Co. in late February were: Gimbel Bros, talking machine section under Manager Wurtele; J. R. Wilson Co. and the Strawbridge & Clothier Co. under Frank Butler, head of the music department. Out-oftown dealers who also made these numbers a special feature during the month were J. H. Troup Co. and C. M. Sigler, both Harrisburg, Pa., dealers. Discuss Brunswick Sales Plans A cordial gathering, bringing together executive and sales staff of the Brunswick branch, made the passing month a record for fellowship in the annals of the local branch. With more than a score of sales representatives who cover the Philadelphia district assembled in the Adelphia Hotel, the local manager, George A. Lyons, presided and extended the greetings of the firm and then introduced his co-worker and factory executive, J. E. Henderson, who came here from the Chicago headquarters to confer with the local staff and to outline the 1928 sales campaign. Mr. Henderson made an informative and interesting address on the plans for the Introducing the "Replacement" Reproducer $1.15 each $12.10 per dozen MADE TO FIT ANY STANDARD TONE ARM Order Yours Today GUARANTEE TALKING MACHINE SUPPLY CO. 35 N. NINTH STREET PHILADELPHIA, PA. SWrite for our latest Main Spring Chart; coming year, stressing the growing demand which made the past year a lively one for the record department of the factory. The Brunswick Co. has just released the newest recordings made by the Herbert Gordon Orchestra, which is now playing at the Adelphia Hotel. The record is expected to enjoy a wide sale in this territory. To Push New Columbia Masterworks Broad publicity will be given to the release of the newest of the series of the Masterworks which the Columbia Phonograph Co. is now placing on the market — that of the seventyninth issue of these sets. They are the recordings of the Bayreuth Festival in honor of the composer, Richard Wagner. They are to be released on March 10, when the local branch under Manager J. J. Doherty will feature an entire page ad in the Evening Bulletin in co-operation with the dealers. In line with the release of the seventy-ninth of series of Masterworks, the factory promoters of these high-class recordings visited the Quaker City branch. J. C. Jell, originator of the Masterworks, accompanied by Fred Sard, manager of publicity for these works, both of whom are associated with the exploitation of the series, were the local callers. Manager J. J. Doherty, of the Quaker City branch, made the round of the coal regions during the month and was greatly pleased with the improvement in Columbia business in the anthracite regions. Miners, who now are becoming more regularly employed, have been buying more freely of Columbia recordings. Addresses Victor Record Club So interesting was the talk given by Miss Dorothy Martin, editor of the Voice of the Victor, and the leaflets put out by the Victor Talking Machine Co. at the monthly session of the Victor Record Club held in the Chamber of Commerce in mid-February that a special session was called by the Victor Dealers' Association of Philadelphia to give her an opportunity to repeat it for the general benefit of the trade. The special meeting was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, when Miss Martin gave her treatise on selling Victor records. She outlined the importance of Victor record sales and urged the retailers to attend the monthly gatherings of the Club in order to obtain material aid in putting across sales. Mrs. Lucia Carmine, of the Strawbridge & Clothier Co., was chairman of the Chamber of Commerce gathering of the Record Club, and introduced Miss Martin. Tacob H. Keen, who is well known as the in ventor of the Keenophone, which he perfected more than twenty-five years ago, is now engaged in the wholesale distribution of radios and talking machines of his own manufacture at 109 North Tenth street. He will feature the RCA, Atwater Kent and Magnavox lines. He also produces the Keen portables, manufactured under his own supervision Valphonic Reproducer Sales Grow Demand for Valphonic reproducers manufactured by the J. A. Fischer Co. continues to improve and shipments to Southern distributors have been heavy with the influx of sojourners in the Winter resorts. Irvin Epstan, who is covering the South, is sending back excellent orders to headquarters at 730 Market street. There is fairly well maintained demand for the Valley Forge main springs and parts as well as accessories. Strong Demand for Zenith Line The Penn Phonograph Co., 913 Arch street, (Continued on page 80) 78