The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar-Dec 1907)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. AMONG THE JOBBERS. Grinnell Bros., Edison Jobbers, at Detroit, are to have a new building at 243-247 Woodward avenue, which will be ready for occupancy about December 1. The new structure is to cost $150,000 and will be six stories high, on a plot of ground 60 x 100 feet. The columns and footings, however, will be designed heavy enough to carry several additional stories, which will be built at the same time as the main structure, provided occupants for the same can be found before the completion of the building. The building will be of reinforced concrete and steel and of fireproof construction throughout. The firm of Grinnell Bros, is composed of Ira L. and Clayton A. Grinnell. They came to Detroit from Ann Arbor in 1882 and opened up a store opposite their present location. They have since opened branches in Adrian, Bay City, Escanaba, Flint, Hancock, Petoskey, Pontiac, Port Huron, Saginaw, Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City. P. E. Conroy, President of the Conroy Piano Co., Edison Jobbers, at St. Louis, in speaking of business, said in an interview : " I have been in the Phonograph business twelve years, and the trade that we have ha 1 the first quarter of this year beats all records by a very large margin. Our trade throughout Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as other tributary States, has showed a phenomenal increase, and it is constantly growing, and the demand is for the best line of goods we carry." He added, " I consider this a remarkable showing in view of the fact that we are exclusively Edison Dealers." Mr. Conroy will sail for a three months' tour of Europe in July, joining his wife and son, who are now in Berlin. J. W. Jenkins Sons Music Company, Edison Jobbers at Kansas City, Mo., have purchased the stock and fixtures of the J. Frank Walker Music Company, at 611 Main street, Joplin, Mo., and will in the future conduct a branch at that location. The building will be remodeled on the inside, a passenger elevator will be installed, and the third floor will be used as a work room and stock room. The Joplin branch will have four men on the road covering the territory south and east of that city. It includes part of Western Kansas, the southern part of Missouri and most of Arkansas. The force at the salesrooms will number about fifteen men. Tne manager of the new branch is J. O. Adams. It has been announced that H. A. Weymann & Sons, Edison Jobbers at Philadelphia, will move from their present location at 925 Market street to 1012 Chestnut street, where they have secured an entire building. The J. F. Schmelyzer Sons Arms Co., Edison Jobbers at Kansas City, observed the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of their business on April 30th. They started in business in Leavenworth, Kas., in 1857. Koehler & Hinrichs, Edison Jobbers of St. Paul, Minn., have found their business increasing to such an extent that they have been compelled to enlarge their stock rooms. It is their intention to carry 100,000 Edison Records in stock. Visiting Edison Jobbers at our New York office during May were: Thomas Hext, Hext Music Co., Denver; R. Wurlitzer, Jr., R. Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati; W. H. Beck, Eastern Talking Machine Co., Boston; James Fintze, Ball-Fintze Co., Newark, Ohio ; C. N. Post and J. F. Bowers, Lyon & Healy, Chicago; W. E. Henry, Powers & Henry, Pittsburg. MR. BERGMANN AT ORANGE. Among the visitors to the Edison Laboratory during May was Seligman Bergmann, who has had a business connection with Mr. Edison or his interests for many years. In 1878, with a factory at Avenue B and 17th street, New York City, Mr. Bergmann manufactured a quantity of the old style tin-foil Phonographs, modelled after the original Phonograph invented by Mr. Edison while at Menlo Park. The original Phonograph made in the Eclison Laboratory at that place now occupies a place in the Kensington Museum at London. The numerous "original" Phonographs which come to life from time to time in this country are part of the lot made by Mr. Bergmann and patterned after the original. Shortly after these Phonographs were put on the market, Mr. Bergmann began the manufacture of electric light and telephone supplies, both of which inventions were then occupying a large part of Mr. Edison's time. Even after Mr. Edison disposed of his interests in these inventions, Mr. Bergmann continued the manufacture of these supplies in New York City. Some years ago he disposed of his business there and went to Germany, where he continued the manufacture of similar goods. In addition to manufacturing these lines, Mr. Bergmann is at present interested in the marketing of the Edison Storage Battery in Germany. He is now making a combined business and pleasure trip to this country and expects t6 return shortly. While visiting the Edison Laboratory and factory at Orange, he was greatly interested in the improvements and changes that have been made since his last visit.