The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1910)

Edison Phonograph Monthly, Oct., 1910 Recognized Lauder's Voice "Pound" Home Recording The Eureka Phonograph Company of Eureka, Cal., is a concern of hustlers. They call on the trade once a month, keep a complete stock of domestic and Grand Opera Records as well as a good stock of foreign selections, and always maintain a full line of Edison machines including several Amberolas. They are always after the business and allow no obstacle to prevent them from at least attemping to get it. Mr. Hillman of the Company relates an incident showing how he sold a machine under difficulties. He learned that there was an old Scotch couple living up in the mountains whose frugal habits had enabled them to acquire a nice little place of their own, and decided that he would sell them a Phonograph. Their house was removed about five miles from the main road and there was only a trail leading up the steep mountain side, but this did not deter him. Packing a Standard machine and a bunch of Records, he made the climb and reached the summit more dead than alive. He found the old lady at home, out in the shed threshing beans, her attire consisting principally of an old red petticoat pinned above her knees. When he told her that he had come to sell her a Phonograph she "went up in the air" — said she hated the things and wouldn't have one in the house. He made up his mind, however, that after such a climb he would at least have an audience even if it was an unappreciative one. So he put on a Record, and luckily for him his choice was a song by Harry Lauder. He said it was a sight to see the old lady. She had known Lauder in his schoolboy days and recognized his voice instantly. Running to the house, she returned in a more presentable garb, and with cash for the machine and a number of Lauder Records. This old couple to-day are among the best of Mr. Hillman's customers. A clever little advertising "stunt" employed by The Hoeffler Manufacturing Company of 306 Water Street, Milwaukee, Wis., is the mailing of a post-card in colors showing a view of their talking machine department to prospective purchasers. Written in ink on the post-card is the following message, which it goes without saying will be read throughout by the recipient: "While in Milwaukee the other day I purchased an Edison Phonograph and it's a dandy, and I can make my own Records. I only pay one dollar a week. This is easy. Had a grand time. Yours, Jack." We have been "pounding" the home recording feature of the Edison very hard of late in our ads., and we urge you to follow our example in every way possible. It's an exclusive feature of the instrument and a tremendous selling argument. There is more real fun and pleasure to be derived from an evening spent in making homemade Records than in a dozen recitals, and it's up to you to convince the public of the fact. Why not prove it in a really convincing way? Advertise a demonstration at your store and show the possibilities of home recording and the simplicity of the scheme. Make the affair as informal as you can. Have some one on hand to make a Record of a song, a recitation or a speech; then invite your audience to speak a few words into the horn and let them hear their own Records. Tell them of the fun they can have with "Record parties," and refer also to the sentimental side of the subject, — how they can record the prattle of their babies, the musical, vocal and elocutionary efforts of their older children and the voices of their parents and friends, to be treasured in the years to come. There are lots of possibilities in machine sales to the Dealer who makes the most of the home recording feature of the Edison. There is also nice profit in the sale and the shaving of blanks; and it brings steady customers to your store, which will add to your sales of Records and Accessories. Lost or Stolen Machines Edison Gem Phonograph No. 3,084,890 and Home No. 375,589, with Cygnet Horn, have been reported missing by one of our Dealers. Jobbers and Dealers are requested to keep on the look-out for these machines and to promptly communicate to our Agreement Department, Orange,, N. J., any clue to their whereabouts, in order that immediate steps may be taken to restore them to their rightful owners. To the Canadian Trade While the Bulletin does not contain a clause to that effect, our Canadian friends will understand that the new Record Exchange Plan described in the pages of this issue of the Monthly does not apply to Canada, for the reasons which operate to prevent the present Exchange Proposition from being extended there.