The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1904-Feb 1905)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. WESTERN AGGRESSIVENESS. Some especially fine advertising of Edison goods is being done by McGreal Brothers, Jobbers at Milwaukee, Wis. It is being done in the daily papers of that city, moderate space being used on week-days and large space on Sundays. Most of this advertising is in the form of specially illustrated plates. One of these announcements occupied a space of five columns wide and a half column deep. It showed a circular panel in the center and square panels in each of the four corners. In the upper left-hand panel was a fac-simile of the first order placed by the firm on August 12th, 1902. This was for 75 Standards, 15 Homes, 10 Gems and 5,000 Records. The upper right-hand panel showed a fac-simile of the acceptance of C. H. Wilson, manager of sales of the National Phonograph Co. In the lower left-hand panel was a reproduction of the order placed by the firm August 3Tst, 1904, for 1,200 Standards, 600 Homes, 200 Gems and 27,000 Records. Opposite to this was a fac-simile of Mr. Wilson's acceptance of the order. In the center panel was the following: DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSION. Compare our first order of August, 1902, with the one of August 31, 1904. Wrhy have we sold nearly 8,000 Edison Phonographs and over 200,000 Edison Gold Moulded Records within this short time? We think we can tell you. Because the Edison Phonograph is a machine of merit and every time we sell one we make a friend. Any person who will took into the matter of talking machines carefully when ready to buy will select the Edison. It is the machine. Our policy of extending credit has also helped our business. We are proud of our record. We are thankful to our friends and customers. McGreal Bros., 173 Third St. Another striking advertisement of McGreal Brothers showed an Edison Phonograph standing in a niche in a wall, illustrating the phrase "In a Niche by Itself." did not fail to have a large crowd about me at all times. I even heard some of them say: "Oh, that was already made on the record," but I took that idea out of their heads by inviting them to tell me what to say. I think this method better than to use a regular stock Record for the purpose, as you will be able to secure more interest in that way and incidentally do a little private advertising that would be impossible with a stock Record. Of course a person should not attempt such a thing unless he knows that everything is O. K. and he is sure of good results. Eugene Aldrich, Of Aldrich & Richmond. Mr. Aldrich's letter points out one of the chief difficulties in the way of getting out a stock advertising Record. In the past several suggestions have been made to us as to what would be suitable for a Record of this kind, but no two have been alike. On the contrary, they have shown the widest variance. After all, any Dealer who finds the need of an advertising Record can easily make one himself and have it make an announcement unlike that of any one else. ABOUT AN ADVERTISING RECORD. Wauseon, O., Oct. 14, 1904. I notice in the Phonograph Monthly for October, page 13, under caption "An Advertising Record," something which reminds me of my experience at our county fair, where we gave an exhibition, and where, as stated in this article, I, too, felt the need of a talking record for advertising purposes. In fact, I felt the need before I went out, and therefore, as Mrs. Partington says, "I took time by the fetlock," and provided myself with a good recorder and several blanks, and said the things to the machine which I wished to say to the people, and let it repeat it to them, and I A GOOD RECORD A STIMULUS TO TRADE. I think from all indications here that the trade will be very heavy during the next four or five months. Am now selling many of your Records, considering the size of the place, and some machines. Have some cylinder records of another make which I handled before your reduction in prices to meet the demand for cheap records, but since your reduction to 35 cents I have not sold as many as a dozen, and guess I am "stuck." However, I am glad you have reduced your price, as it is more satisfactory to sell a good record than a poor one. A good record acts as a stimulus to trade, while a poor one has a depressing effect. Almost invariably when a party has been using records of an inferior kind and buys a few of the Edison he comes back in a few days for more Edisons. E. T. Gassett, Cerro Gordo, 111. NONE ON EARTH BUT THE EDISON. Bowling Green, O., Oct. 15, 1904. I am greatly interested in the Edison goods and am trying hard to cooperate and conform to all your rules and methods. I made an exhibit of the Edison at our fair here last month, and am surprised and delighted with the business I am doing in these goods. In my estimation of merit there is no talking machine on earth but the Edison. R. V. Slauson. GOOD ENOUGH. Plymouth, Mass., Sept. 26, 1904. Edison Records and machines take the prize here. Can't sell any other and don't care to try, as they are good enough for me. Yours for more business. Leopold J. Schreiber.