The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

80 The Talking Machine World, New York, March, 192$ THE TRADE IN PHILADELPHIA AND LOCALITY — ( Continued from page 78) Velvaloid Record Brush Ideal for advertising purposes or resale. Write us for full information. PHILADELPHIA BADGE CO. Manufacturers 942 Market Street Philadelphia. Pa. has been enjoying a profitable and oversold market for the Zenith AC Radio sets which are being shipped to dealers just as soon as they arrive at headquarters here from the factory. So heavy is the demand for the Zenith that back orders have been accumulating and will require heavier factory shipments in order to meet the present shortage. President T. W. Barnhill, of the company, made a tour of the trade late in February and found a good demand for radios generally. Brisk Okeh Record and Radio Demand Since the introduction of the Q R S portable radio to the Philadelphia trade, the local distributor, the Q R S Co., 1017 Sansom street, has been enjoying a rushing demand for the new products. The headquarters here have been redecorated and made attractive by the adornment of original Japanese wood block prints given to the district manager, Don Rockwell, during his recent tour of Japan, by a music dealer in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms. There has been a very good demand for the Okeh recordings of the local song writer and orchestra leader, Billy Hayes, who made his first records for the Okeh Co. a short time ago and which were released during the past month. There has been so heavy a demand for these records that the release was advanced two weeks in order to accommodate customers. The two numbers released were "My Miami Moon," an original Hayes composition, and the song "I'm Always Smiling," composed jointly by District Manager Don Rockwell, Billy Hayes and Lou Hersher. Clifford McCutcheon, who covers the Philadelphia trade and Southern territory for the Q R S Co., will make the rounds of Washington, D. C., calling on the dealers in the interest of Okeh and Odeon records. The local branch distributes these recordings in several States included in the Philadelphia territory. William Lynch, who is linked with the Washington trade, will continue to represent the Q R S Co., taking care of the needs of the dealers in music rolls and portables as heretofore. Popularity of Sparton Line Grows The Sparton radio has become a popular seller in the many adjacent towns and cities to the Quaker City and already has a large following among the neighborhood dealers as well as central city stores. During the month an ex 3% lnotaoc dluuUr Patented 1922 tensive .campaign has been staged in co-operation with the dealers and local distributors, backed by the manufacturers, the Sparks-Withington Co., Jackson, Mich. The Philadelphia distributors are J. V. Kane & Co., 3137 North Broad street, who in conjunction with the eighteen adjacent town and city dealers conducted a broad exploitation campaign throughout the month. With the vigorous sales drive the Sparton radio won many friends in this city and in the smaller communities where dealers were established. They included such Pennsylvania cities as Coatesville, Chester, West Chester, Jenkentown and New Jersey towns and cities, as Atlantic City, Milleville, Salem, Vineland, and Cape May Court House. Other dealers were added in Delaware. Unit Plant Sold at Auction Under receivership proceedings the entire plant and property of the Unit Construction Co., manufacturer of radio cabinets, talking-machine booths and cases, and other trade supplies, was sold on February 28 for the sum of $118,000 to Arthur W. Smith. The plant, including a large structure of ultra-modern type, is constructed on a plot of ground 78,000 square feet in area. The building of 72,720 square feet of floor space was equipped with modern devices for the construction of cabinets and booths and at one time was one of the best known of trade concerns. The business recently was placed in bankruptcy and the assets sold to discharge obligations under the auctioneer's hammer in the February sale. Home From Honeymoon Following a two months' honeymoon spent in the Winter resorts of the South, Bertram Jacobs, of the firm of S. Jacobs & Son, 320 West Columbia avenue, has returned to Philadelphia. The wedding took place last December when the younger member of the firm was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Virginia Eicholz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Eicholz, the former a prominent real estate operator of Savannah, Ga. The bride is one of the belles of the Southern city. The newlyweds spent the two months in touring Florida resorts, Cuba and Bermuda. Stages Orthophonic Recital Under the direction of the D. S. Andruson Co., of Williamsport, Pa., a song recital featuring Galli-Curci was given before the congregation of the Pine Street Church. The recital featuring the noted Victor artist was rendered through the Orthophonic. Miss Franklin in New Post Miss Antoinette Franklin, who is well known in local trade circles, is now affiliated with the store of Walter Stainthorpe, at 2073 Chelten avenue, as head of the talking machine and record department. The Stainthorpe store is broadcasting Victor numbers every evening over WNAT. Trick Attracts Attention to Radio A "trick" window sign was the unique method employed by the firm of Emmerts, 2626 Germantown avenue, for attracting attention to the newest of radios to be installed in the store during the late February days. The stunt was the simple feature of turning the sign announcing the new Atwater Kent AC set so that it was visible from the outside up-side-down. Pedestrians passing stopped to read the large display announcement only to find it was not to be achieved except by many acrobatic feats and twisting of the head. Crowds accumulated to help their curious brethren interpret the sign and when this was not possible rushed into the store to inform the head of the firm, Milton G. Emmert, of the fact that the sign was not properly adjusted. As the passer-by came into the store he was tactfully shown the new Atwater Kent radio and sales resulted. The window was attractively arranged with a complete home outfitted with all the very latest musical instruments. The interior of a living room showed the Victor Orthophonic, Atwater Kent radio, and a piano, around which were grouped the personnel of the family. Variegated lights played upon the window, creating a glowing and colorful effect. H. Bloomingdale Controls Business The business of the Scherzer Piano Co., 539 North Eighth street, conducted by the late Mrs. Belle S. Bloomingdale, whose passing occurred in late January, now is under control of her son and former associate, Henry Bloomingdale. The Scherzer Piano Co., also dealer in Columbia phonographs, was established back in 1852, and is one of the pioneer concerns of the Quaker City, founded by Adolf Scherzer, father of Mrs. Bloomingdale and grandfather of the present owner. The business will continue along the same lines as formerly. Adds Radio Department Fred A. Brown, for many years engaged in the talking machine business at 203 West Allegheny avenue, has added a modern radio department to his Victor retail store. In addition to the talking machines, Radiola, Kolster, Atwater Kent, Freed Eisemann and other radio lines are handled. Retire From Business Theodore R. Wirtshafer and his brother and associates in the business have withdrawn from the firm of the Central Radio Stores, located at Fifth and Market streets. The business will be continued by Sydney Aaronberg and William Wirtshafer, another brother of the retiring (Continued on page 82) Distributors for Eastern Penna, and Southern New Jersey KOLSTER RADIO We offer the largest stocks of nationally known radio lines in the East, together with a Service, not infallible, but embodying the spirit of helpfulness and cooperation to the limits of our power. Our continuous growth is an unfailing sign that our efforts are helping an increasing host of radio dealers to "Grow With Us." TRILLING tic MONTAGUE WHOLESALE RADIO MERCHANDISERS N. W. Cor. 7th and Arch Streets V//J Ifljtfl t/S " PHILADELPHIA, PA.