The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1905-Feb 1906)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. THE PHONOGRAM. Dealers desiring to get a supply of Phonograms to mail to their customers must order them of Jobbers four weeks in advance, and we cannot agree to fill Jobbers' orders unless placed with us a similar period in advance. We again ran out of May Phonograms before they were shipped to the trade, although the edition was over 200,000, and were compelled to print an additional supply. We plan to print about 10,000 more than we have orders for when we go to press, five weeks in advance of the month of issue, but frequently these are soon used up with extra orders. Following is a schedule of prices at which Phonograms may be obtained by the trade : Delivered With Goods. Blank, per 1000 copies $2.50 Smaller quantities pro rata. Imprinted, per 500 copies.. 1.50 Imprinted, per 1000 copies 2.75 No orders filled for less than 500 copies requiring imprint, and all imprinting orders must be for multiples of 500. Most Jobbers will be glad to supply Dealers on the above basis. By Mail. Single copies, per year $ .20 Five copies to one address, per year 40 Twenty-five copies to one address, per year 1.80 Fifty copies to one address, per year.... 3.60 Unless they have open accounts on our books, Dealers ordering Phonograms sent by mail are requested to send cash or stamps with their orders. The amounts are too small to handle in any other way. THE PRICE AGREEMENT. A correspondent in the Talking Machine News of London writes as follows : A large percentage of people do not thoroughly understand the price agreement. Many look upon it as being somewhat dictatorial or as a scheme of the strong manufacturer to coerce the shopkeeper into doing something for the sole gain of the former. I am glad to attest that this feeling has now almost entirely disappeared and the reputable Dealer now sees the price agreement in an entirely different light and knows by practical demonstration that it is an instrument designed primarily for the good of the Dealer and that he is the greater gainer by its protection. As a matter of fact the manufacturer gets comparatively little benefit, except in so far as it prevents the wholesale cutting of prices which ultimately would destroy the reputation of his product that would otherwise be maintained. Where is there a person who doubts that a manufacturer now selling his wares under price agreement principles could sell more goods (and get just as much for them wholesale) if he should lay aside the price agreement? And who is the real beneficiary under such a scheme? It must necessarily be the one who sells the article to the retail customer and gets the fair profit that the price agreement guarantees. Where there is no price maintaining agreement covering an article it is most often, if not always, sold by the stores at a reduction in price that the shopkeeper cannot meet and still pay rent. I claim, and history proves, that the price agreement has done more good for the legitimate Dealer than anything else that has ever been discovered since price cutting became popular. Of course the benefit derived from such a measure depends largely, if not wholly, on its rigid maintenance and it is the wise dealer who sticks to the manufacturer whose agreement affords him the greatest protection. A DEALER'S SOLICITING LETTER. Yale, Iowa, April 13, 1905. Dear Friends. — I have secured the agency for the justly celebrated Edison Phonograph. This is certainly the King of all machines of its kind and one that will be an ornament and a source of endless pleasure in any home. With one of these machines you can not only reproduce selections played by the best artists in the world but you can make records that will reproduce the exact voice of any one in the home and as they last indefinitely you may some day place a value on these records that you little dreamed of when in the fullness of strength you amuse yourself in the making of them. If you are a lover of good music, come to the store and let us play you a few Records and show you the workings of a perfect machine; one that fills a long-felt want in the home. I shall be glad to play for you any time except Saturday. I have in stock all the latest and most popular Records. Come in and see us. You are always welcome. W. A. Sheets. HEARD HIMSELF AS OTHERS HEAR HIM An amateur flutist once stopped in at a fair where a talking machine company had an elaborate exhibit, and showed such an interest in the talking machines that the attendant thought a sale was imminent, and worked very hard to effect it. "I see you have your flute with you," he said, finally. "Suppose you play a brief selection, and I will make a record of it, and you will then be able to hear the machine reproduce it exactly." The suggestion pleased the amateur musician, and the idea was carried out. "Is that an exact reproduction of my music?" he asked, when the tune was finished. "It is," replied the attendant. "Do you wish to buy the talking machine?" "No," said the other, sadly, as he slowly moved away. "But I'll sell the flute."— Popular Magazine. WILLY NILLY. "My daughter wants a talking machine," said the man. "Ah !" said the Dealer, "you want to buy one." — "No, I don't," interrupted the man hastily, "but it looks as if I'd have too." — Exchange.