The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1904-Feb 1905)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. is A GREAT SUCCESS. In an advertisement in the Bangor, Maine, papers of November 19th the S. L. Crosby Co., Jobbers in Edison goods in that city, printed a copy of the following letter from C. H. Wilson, manager of sales of the National Phonograph Company: New York, Nov. 15, 1904The S. L. Crosby Company, 186 Exchange Street, Bangor, Maine. Dear Sirs :— We beg to acknowledge receipt of your orders of November 14th, 1904. calling for" 200 Standard, 35 Gem and 35 Home Phonographs, to be shipped December 1st; 24,000 Records to be shipped immediately, and advertising matter as per specifications given all of which will have our prompt and careful attention, and for which kindly accept our thanks. Since October 1st, iqoj we have shipped you 35 Gem,' 170 Standard, 35 Home and 5 Triumph Phonographs. To-day's order in addition thereto, makes a total of 70 Gem, 370 Standard, 70 Home and 5 Triumph Phonographs ordered by you since October 1st. We congratulate vou upon your success as Tobbers in Edison Phonographs and Records. C. H. Wilson, Manager of Sales. This letter speaks for itself. The advertisement also contained the following paragraphs : Talk about vour home entertainers! There isn't anything on the market to-day that is half so versatile, half such "good fun" for all ages and at all times, as the Phonograph. You may have been thinking of buying one ; do it now while the winter evenings have but just begun, and make home merry not only for yourself but for the whole family and all your friends. Since the recent important improvements have been introduced in Phonographs, the makers have not been able to keep up with orders, even though they have greatly increased their factory force, and doubled their output. Does this look as though the Phonograph was losing popularity? Far from it! land feature their departments with talking machines and many have fitted up special rooms in which great varieties of machines are exhibited. Attendants are always in evidence to test records and otherwise entertain shoppers. The demand for these special products is world-wide, and in recording the steadily growing foreign demand for talking machines we may say that the value of talking machines sent abroad during 1904 in dollars exceeds that of pianos and other musical instruments. It is an industry to-day of no mean proportions, and there are new specialty factors springing up which will undoubtedly form a greater impelling power. The talking machine has come to stay, and exercise a growing influence in not only the life of America, but it will assist greatly in the business offices as well. — Music Trade Review. TALKING MACHINE DEVELOPMENT. When the talking machine first appeared it was looked upon as a novelty, the demand for which would be fleeting, and to have proclaimed that its stay would be permanent and ha*ve an ever-widening demand, would have seemed preposterous. In the light of later development it must be conceded that the talking machine has not only lived down its early detractors, but it has advanced to such a position that it cuts no small part in the music field of to-day. There has been remarkable developments in the perfection of the talking machine, with the result that to-day it is conceded to be an educational force with ever growing possibilities. Well equipped music stores throughout the NEW STYLE RECORD SHELVING. A new method of constructing shelving for carrying stocks of Edison Records comes from Victor H. Rapke, a New York city Jobber, who is constantly devising new plans for conducting his business. Mr. Rapke suggests that Record shelves be built with a pitch of about twenty degrees, so that when Record boxes are placed on their sides they will always roll to the front. The advantages of this plan are obvious. As long as there is a single Record on the shelf it is always at the front and its absence tells the Dealer that the stock of that selection is depleted. From the middle of the floor the Dealer can tell just what numbers are missing, and, as the boxes lie a little above each other, he can see by a glance in each compartment just how many of each number he has in stock. This style of shelves need only be built far enough apart to permit the boxes being placed in the compartments easily. In fact, each box can be placed in front and used to press back any others that may be in the compartment. A strip across the face of the shelves acts as a stop to keep the boxes from rolling out and affords a suitable place to display the number and even the name of the selection. The depth of the shelves may vary according to the number of each selection that it is desired to carry in stock. Mr Dealer: Take a last look over your stock and make sure that you are fully prepared for the holiday trade.