The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. ABOUT PRINTED MATTER. Requests to mail the Phonograph Monthly to individuals outside of the trade cannot be granted. It is published only for the information of the trade. A new edition has been printed of Form No. 414, the four-page folder showing the Gem, Standard, Home and Triumph types of the Phonograph on its inside pages. New halftones of the machines have been made and the matter on the last page has been rewritten. Recognizing the justness of the complaints from Dealers that hangers come out of the mail badly creased after being folded, we have decided to adopt some other means of mailing them. The next lot will probably go out in mailing tubes and we shall be glad to know if they reach Dealers in better shape. In the absence of complaints we shall assume that the service is better. The same method will probably be adopted for mailing the Record bulletin. We would again ask Dealers to get catalogues and other printed matter from their Jobbers instead of writing direct to us for it. We have no means of knowing how much business a Dealer is doing and without that knowledge cannot form any estimate as to what a Dealer should have in the way of advertising literature. The Jobber should have a good stock of this matter on hand and be in a position to save the Dealer transportation charges on it. With the May Record supplements a variation was made in the style 'of work on these slips. As all the trade now know, the May supplement showed a youthful imitator of Sousa, with eyeglasses and medals, leading the band, the music of which is issuing from the horn of a Standard Phonograph. The June supplement will show the Phonograph amusing a group of foreigners, each one of whom represents a different nation. Still another idea will be illustrated with the July list. Some of our Dealers do not seem to be aware of the fact that we furnish, without charge, an order book for their use. They are probably Dealers who have taken up the line since these books were sent to all Dealers, a year or more ago. We are desirous that all Dealers shall have one of these books on hand at all times and use them in placing orders. They are printed in duplicate, enabling Dealers to keep a carbon copy of their order. Ask your Jobber for an order book, or, if you are buying direct, have one mailed from the New York office. Some time in July we will send out the first of a new series of posters lithographed in a manner quite different from anything heretofore issued by this company. There are three posters in the series, each 11x25 inches in size. Each shows the Phonograph in connection with some attractive scene. The first to be issued is Form No. 431, showing the Phonograph amusing three lonesome Summer girls. Its caption is "More Fun Than a Man. The Man is in the Edison Phonograph." In August we will xsend out the second of the series, Form No. 432,, showing a pair of lovers on a yacht at sea and spending their idle time listening to the Phonograph. Its title is "Two's Company. Three's More Fun with the Edison Phonograph." The third of the series will be issued in September. It shows the Phonograph entertaining a dinner party. It is called "The Up-to-date After-Dinner Speaker, the Edison Phonograph." Only one of these posters will be sent out each month, and we believe they will be considered among the best things yet gotten out for the use of the trade. The paragraph in the June Monthly called "Selling Suggestions" has brought us a good many requests for sample copies of the five forms which we suggested could be used to advantage in advertising the Phonograph at fairs, etc. If those who have received these forms desire to get a supply for the uses named, we wish that they would write their Jobbers in order that the latter may send us an order for a sufficient quantity to fill their demands. Some Dealers have asked us if we could print their names upon the circulars. We have been compelled to reply that it was not feasible. To stand ready to do imprinting for 5,500 Dealers is more of a proposition than we can undertake, and we can see no way of doing it for a few unless we are ready to do it for all. Dealers can have this work done as cheaply as we can, for in all cases the circulars are printed and cut so that they can only be printed one at a time, no matter where the work is done. "WELL PLEASED." Grand Saline, Texas, June 21, 1903. I received your Phonograph all right and in good shape. Am well pleased with it. It is the only Edison Phonograph in the little town of Grand Saline, which has a population of 2,500. We have two phones in the town but you can scarcely make out what they play. There is a very good chance here to sell four or five of your Phonographs as people are wild over mine. C. C. Stephens.