The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1913)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, OCTOBER, 1913 WORKING WITH THE CHURCHES ALMOST every church realizes the need of special entertainment. Some churches go into the matter more deeply than others, and not all are successful in realizing as much profit as they anticipated. There is a good opportunity for a wide-awake Edison phonograph dealer in many instances, to co-operate with entertainment committees. We have in mind one recent experience which actually took place up in New Britain, Connecticut. There the Methodist Episcopal Church desired to raise about 350 for a special purpose. The matter was heard of by L. A. Gladding our representative there. He immediately got busy and conferred with the committee and arranged for an "Edison Night." A programme was decided upon and nicely printed. It called for selections from the new Edison Disc phonograph, as well as for the Edison Cylinder phonograph, both of which machines were furnished by him. He also supplied an Edison Kinetoscope which furnished a pleasing variety to the program. Local talent was then drawn upon in the shape of a cornet solo, a soprano solo, and a reading by one well up in elocution. The total outlay was 37.25 which included the expenses of the elocutionist, the only paid talent on the list. Although the night was very rainy the attendance was large, for the affair had been well advertised. The total receipts amounted to 348.00 and everyone present felt that they got the biggest 25 cents worth (the price of tickets) they had ever had. The Edison phonograph and kinetoscope came in for a great ovation and Mr. Gladding reports trade afterwards, both in records and machines, very gratifying indeed. Other churches will doubtless want his services in the same way, and meanwhile he will add to his prospect list of names many prominent families. There is another field of church co-operation open to the phonograph dealer, and that is with the ministers on the home-recording outfit. It is an entirely practical method of sermon preparation. _ If a dealer would go to the clergyman some morning with the outfit all in prime condition, an actual demonstration could be made in the pastor's study. The dealer could not lose any money on the experiment, and stands to win a friend and patron. One successful pastor using the Edison Recording outfit would easily win over others, for it is an ideal way to prepare a sermon. THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET THE "Old Oaken Bucket" will never lose its charm. What a capital idea for a novel window display just at this season when so many are coming back from country scenes. It can be made the centre of attraction for the whole November list. Its Record 2046, finally rendered by the Knickerbocker Quartet. Make use of the idea. Get the old oaken bucket in your window and then announce the whole November list. It's a winner1 Trv it! WHAT IS A THANKSGIVING DAY WITHOUT AN EDISON PHONOGRAPH ? ABETTER day than Thanksgiving to play the phonograph cannot be imagined. This year, it will occur on Thursday, November 27th. In nearly every home it will be a day of family reunion. After a bounteous repast the question arises, "who will entertain the family?" Let the phonograph respond ! Every taste can be gratified — speeches, jolly songs, solos, instrumental pieces, bands, dances and vaudeville; from little tot to grandma, everyone will find the phonograph a royal entertainer. The alert Edison dealer should plan now to take advantage of these family reunions. We suggest a postal card be sent to all your patrons, and it might take the following form:— THANKSGIVING DAY Dear Madame : Thanksgiving Day will occur, as you doubtless know, November 27th. We have some fine Edison records that would make a delightful "after-dinner" entertainment. We would like to have you hear them ; Will you call at our store or may we demonstrate them in your home? J. R. Smith & Sons. We will furnish free, on request, the electro for he illustration, the dealer to print the cards. Of course a larger card than the regular post-card can be used and other matter included if desired. Another plan is to loan a phonograph to some family where a prospective sale is most likely. The advertising it will give the dealer cannot fail to bring him returns in one form or another. Still another plan would be to hold a neighborhood phonographic concert and have a good selection of records played by some one from your store. The opportunity is too good to miss. Some plan should be thought out and followed. Searching up and down the aisles of a great department store in one of our principal cities, a nicely dressed gentleman was accosted by a floor-walker who politely inquired "Can I direct you sir?" "Why," said the gentleman, "I've lost my wife." "Ah!" replied the floor-walker, "Mourning goods on the third floor front; take the elevator."