The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. BUSINESS KEEPS COMING. "The Phonograph business is one of the best that I have ever had connection with," said an enthusiastic Jobber at our New York office a few weeks ago. "It is one of the few businesses in which the customer nearly always comes back. If I sell a man a piano, he may buy a little sheet music, and that is the end of it. It is also true of other musical instruments. But when I sell him a Phonograph, my business with him is practically only begun. He not only continues to buy Records from the catalogue, but he becomes a monthly customer when each new lot of Records appears. Then again, every machine and every lot of Records that is sold is an advertisement of the business, and is constantly bringing in new customers. In fact, it is a business that is constantly advertising itself." This is practically the situation in connection with the sale of Phonographs and Records. It is worth while making an unusual effort to sell a few to get started. A start of this kind once made, the business practically grows without effort. A Dealer that has only one Phonograph and a few Records in his store has at his command a means of advertising, not only the Phonograph line but also his own business that cannot be had in any other line of goods. PHONOGRAPH MUSIC FOR A WEDDING. S. B. Davega, a Jobber at 32 East 14th street, New York, recently furnished Phonograph music for a wedding in 121st street. He sent a man with a machine and a specially selected lot of Records to the home of the bride. The guests were entertained before and after the ceremony with various selections and the Mendelssohn wedding march was played as the bridal party entered the parlor. This use of the Phonograph was sought by those in charge of the wedding in preference to an orchestra. Mr. Davega frequently supplies Phonograph music for social gatherings and entertainments, but this was his first experience in supplanting the orchestra or pianist at a w'edding. SEEN RISE AND FALL OF MANY IMITATIONS. Stockton, Cal., October 15, 1903. The Suspended List, October 1, 1903, and October Edison Phonograph Monthly received this day. I am now entering the tenth year of handling Edison Phonographs and Records exclusively, and during that period I have seen the rise and fall of many imitations making a path for their superior — Edison Phonograph and Records. You may always depend on me for hearty co-operation. H. W. Mosier. COMMENTS ON DECEMBER RECORDS. The twenty-five new Edison Gold Moulded Records, which the National Phonograph Company has prepared as an offering for the holiday season, are beyond question the best lot of Records ever issued in one month for use on the Edison Phonograph. No similar list before issued represents so much expenditure of time and money as does that for December. The titles throughout are of the most popular character and most of them include new and novel features, besides being rendered in a manner which shows clearly the progress being made at the Edison Laboratory each month in making Records. Anyone hearing the entire list will realize that no expense is being spared to maintain the reputation of Edison Records as the best of their kind. Now that others have abandoned the competition with us, we purpose demonstrating more positively than ever that Edison Gold Moulded Records are in a class by themselves. This December list of new Records shows marked improvement over those of previous months and each succeeding month will be equally better. This list shows a greater number of singing Records than usual id will probably be more popular on that account, especially since the titles are for the most part songs that have been approved by the public throughout the country and have been made into Records in the most perfect manner. Owners of the Edison Phonograph make no mistake if they buy this entire list. Perhaps the most notable of these new Records is No. 8556, "The Last Farewell." Unless all plans miscarry, this Record will be one of great popularity. In February last Robert Grau, Manager of Adelina Patti's farewell tour in this country, wrote to Charles K. Harris, the celebrated song writer, stating that it was his desire, and also of his associates, that in her farewell tour Madame Patti should sing a distinctively American ballad as an encore, the ballad being written by a representative composer of American music. Mr. Grau asked Mr. Harris to write such a song, stipulating that Mr. Harris should continue his efforts until he had written one that Madame Patti should approve. Mr. Harris wrote this selection, "The Last Farewell." It is a ballad of the "Home Sweet Home" order, and is one of Mr. Harris' best efforts. It was sent to Madame Patti and her acceptance was received by cablegram. She has agreed to sing it at her opening 'concert to be given in New York City on November 2d. Scarcely a doubt exists that she will do it. If she does, the popularity of the song is assured, and it will in a short time become one of the most talked of songs of the day. Even if it did not have such an introduction to the public ear as will be given it by Madame Patti, it would still become a song of wide fame because of its real merit. The Edison Record