The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1916)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, MARCH, 1916 17 tion he has organized numerous male quartets, Glee Clubs, etc. His special work is oratorio and English songs, and teaching voice development. Mr. Randolph's voice is eminently suitable for recording purposes. It is a rich, warm and powerful tenor, and possesses that even steadiness of tone so desirable. ARTHUR COLLINS It is like introducing old friends to tell Edison owners anything about Arthur Collins, for he is known wherever the Phonograph is known. Descended from a long line of Quakers, he naturally had to be born in Philadelphia. He learned much of his artistic knowledge from his mother, who was a fine singer. Although famous as a mimic and a singer of coon songs, Mr. Collins is a trained musician, having devoted a great deal of time to the development of his powerful baritone voice. You will be interested to know that he sang with De Wolf Hopper in "Wang" and with Francis Wilson in "The Lion Tamer." PUBLICITY WITH HUMAN INTEREST Little phonograph stories that contain an abundance of human interest are constantly taking place, and if the dealer is clever enough to bring these to the attention of the daily papers without appearing too eager to secure advertising, he can get frequently some excellent publicity. A story of this class concerns a family that came into possession of a new Amberola. With the intention of introducing the instrument at a little party to be given to a few of their neighbors and friends, they had it sent up in the evening in advance so that it would not be seen by the neighbors until the night that had been selected for the little affair. It happened, however, that on the evening that the Amberola was received a young lady visitor arrived unexpectedly from a distant point. Of course, she had to hear the phonograph, and, as she preferred soprano records, two of the numbers by Marie Rappold were rendered. The next day several of the neighbors came in and, after they had met the guest of the family, they complimented her upon her beautiful voice and, without exception, urged her to sing. The circumstances proved so embarrassing to the visitor that it became necessary to make a premature announcement of the purchase of the Amberola. This incident, of course, rapidly became the talk of the neighborhood and before it was many hours old it reached one of the dailies and was printed and given a fairly prominent place in the paper. It proved the best advertising that one Edison dealer ever received and he eventually made a number of sales on the strength of it. THIS IS THE WAY E. Sensbrenner, an Amberola dealer at Circleville, Ohio, writes: "Here is a letter I am sending to the owners of Edison Cylinder Phonographs who I am not sure have the four-minute attachments: To Edison Phonograph Owners: What about your cylinder phonograph? Are you getting the service out of your instrument that you should? Do you realize the possibilities of the new Blue Amberol, indestructible, four-minute record and the diamond point reproducer? Are you aware that when you improve your instrument, making it possible to use the new record and diamond point reproducer, you will have one of the finest musical instruments in the world? We are enthusiastic about this proposition, — so enthusiastic that we are willing to inspect your instrument, either at your home or at our store, and advise you truthfully, without expense to you, whether your machine is worth putting on a new attachment. We are revising our mailing list. Every month we will again send out new lists of records and other Edison information to every owner of a cylinder instrument who is enthusiastic enough to answer the questions on the inclosed postal card, and return it to us at ONCE. After you have answered all questions properly, tell us under the heading "Remarks" if you want us to call and look your instrument over, or if you will bring it to us. This is something that is worth your immediate consideration — your money is invested, and you now have the opportunity to make your investment active and many more times valuable. Sign and mail the postal NOW, before you forget it. The postal card reads as follows: Have you a cylinder phonograph? What make? If Edison, which Type? "Home," "Standard," "Fireside" or "Gem." Will your machine play the 4-minute record? Is your machine in working order? Do you wish your name on our new mailing list for monthly Edison record lists and other information? Remarks. Name and full Address. Here is an extra memory jogger for you to fill out intelligently that blank on page 19. The information we request is vital to the interests of all concerned. The more definite information you give us the better able are we to give you intelligent sales assistance.