The phonoscope (Nov 1896-Dec 1899)

Vol. I No. 6. THE PHONOSCOPE L3 a very strong hold upon the public, and those who can control it, even approximately, and who will devote to it good business tact and judgment, are bound to reap a rich reward. We understand that territorial rights in some of the good states can still be had, and that Vitascopes can be leased on reasonable terms. The Vitascopeis constructed with a view not only to accuracy and perfection in the result, but also to strength and durability of all the parts. The constant use of a projecting machine, its transportation from place to place, the steady demands upon it for exhibition purposes, and the strain upon certain of its parts, have all served to prove, after a year's practical experience, the wisdom of originally constructing the Vitascope of such good material and with such mechanical perfection, as to withstand every strain and fulfill every demand put upon the machine. While a lightlyconstructed projecting machine is doubtless more conveniently and readily handled t h a n a so-called "heavy machine" (like the Vitascope), yet the danger of breakage and the likelihood that the wear and tear of constant usage will soon render the light machine inefficient, or even absolutely useless. There are instances where the vitascope has been exhibited almost daily, for over a year, and in no case has the machine failed to do its work well, and produce a result eminently satisfactory. The following clipping from a Cincinnati paper of recent date will illustrate how well the vitascope has maintained its high prestige, and how, in the long run, the machine maintains its superiority, not only with the public, but also among exhibitors and experts who have investigated the subject thoroughly. Ever since Messrs. Heck and Avery, of the Museum, quit the exhibition of Edison's vitascope they have been besieged by petitions to place it on exhibition again. They thought, however, that they would perhaps place on exhibition another machine, believing that it might be better, but during Man ager Avery's present stay in New York he has seen all the picture projecting machines, and he writes Manager Heck that there is no machine equal to the Vitascope when it comes to making clear, welldefined projections. Accordingly, yesterday afternoon, Messrs. Heck and Avery completed negotiations by which they continue to be the sole and exclusive exhibitors of Edi.-on's original vitascope in Hamilton County. No sooner had the negotiations been completed than electrical experts were sent for, and the vitascope was put on exibition again Saturday afternoon, much to the delight of those present. It will continue to be a regular summer feature. There will be a complete change of pictures every week. The pictures this week are all interesting, beautiful and sensational. In addition to the Vitascope a high-class vaudeville entertainment is given. The lecture halls will introduce many interesting attractions. It is not too much to say that the Vilascope created a sensation which soon made i t t h e talk o f New York city, and iu a very brief time the machine and its marvelous results became a leading topic of c o nversation among amusement people and the public in general all over the country. Leading theatrical agents and amusement managers agreed that no exhibition had been brought out for years, which made such a decided hit as the vitascope and for weeks and months daily exhibitions of the machine continued at the above-named houses and there seemed to be no diminution in the interest shown by the public and in the patronage which was given to these theatres largely on account of the wonderful machine. The erroneous impression prevails in some quarters that the entire country has been taken up for the Vitascope and that the machine cannot be secured for exhibition. This is a mistake, and we are authorized to say that the Vitatcope can be leased on reasonable terms, with permission to exhibit over a broad extent of territory, including some of the best States in the Union.